As a creative artist, I use a cross-discipline approach to my work. As a performer, composer, producer, teacher and writer my interests lie in the creative process and the unconscious mind. I can be heard in performance and on recordings, film scores, and other interdisciplinary collaborations.
composer performer producer — before covid
Based in Toronto, Bill Parsons is a creative artist who composes, performs, produces and teaches music drawing on his experiences in jazz, classical, world, popular, and improvised music. He holds a BFA Honours from York University (1988) in music composition and jazz performance as well as an interdisciplinary composition MFA from Simon Fraser University (1993) and a Bachelor of Education from University of Toronto (1996).
Bill plays electric & acoustic guitars, kacapi (20-string plucked zither), gamelan, and glass instruments and often composes for the ensembles he performs with.
He has received several grants (Canada Council, Ontario Arts Council, and Toronto Arts Council) and made numerous recordings as leader and collaborator.
collaborators
Evergreen Club Contemporary Gamelan (since 1994). Blair Mackay (1985-2024 Mosaic, Pirate Jenny, ECCG). Timar-Parsons Duo (1996-2024). Glass Orchestra (since 2000). Photographer, Chuck Samuels (since 1988). He has also produced a film Three Days in Muskoka, film soundtracks (Geoff Bowie, Edwin Gailits), multimedia performances, audio recordings, instructional videos, and teaches at the Royal Conservatory in Toronto since 2003.
writer performer composer — since covid
Because there were no gigs during, and for a while after, the COVID-19 lockdown, it pushed a lot of my musical friends into early retirement. And though I’ll never retire, I have slowed down as a performer. And I’m not looking for gigs or composing projects either. The lockdown made it easy to transition into writing more. A happy accident. Though I do feel pressured to create more finished projects (to add to the pile).
For many years, I’ve been honing a manuscript that leans into the unconscious mind of a troubled boy. And reading a lot. The Kite Runner. Murder Bimbo. The History of India. On Bullshit. The Good Teacher. Outcaste. And the Roots of Rhythm Remain. While looking for tunes to play in ten different bands I lead at the conservatory.
In 2024, Evergreen Club Contemporary Gamelan turned forty. I’ve been with them since 1994. I play percussion and kacapi and have composed several pieces for them. We’ve toured internationally and recorded a dozen albums.
Once or twice year, Glass Orchestra rides the floor. A fun band that improvises on found glass instruments.
teacher
Currently, I see students on Saturday, Sunday, Monday each week. Even through COVID. The other four days, I write, and take care of our house with my partner.
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