Horace Parlan

Biography

A pianist with a uniquely percussive and blues-drenched style, Horace Parlan was a distinctive voice in the hard bop era. Due to a childhood bout with polio that limited the use of his right hand, he developed a powerful, chordal left-hand technique that gave his playing a deep, rhythmic groove. He is best known for his work with Charles Mingus on the seminal album 'Mingus Ah Um' and for a series of classic soul-jazz sessions as a leader for Blue Note Records.