Christopher Parnis

Christopher Parnis is a multi-award-winning Canadian double bassist with a deep-rooted and broad connection to the jazz tradition. He has performed in clubs and festivals across the country, and has worked and recorded with a who’s-who of Canadian musicians such as Brian Dickinson, Terry Clarke, Robi Botos, Reg Schwager, Jocelyn Gould, and Allison Au.

In addition to enjoying a busy schedule of sideman work, Christopher is also an accomplished bandleader. In early 2024 he established a multi-generational 9-piece band of Toronto mainstay musicians and rising talents performing the horn arranging of Don Thompson, and since 2019 he has led a quintet in developing iterations performing and developing his own original music which was recently recorded and will be releasing as his debut full-length album.

Everything You Could Be finds Christopher and his bandmates (trumpeter Christian Antonacci, guitarist Matt Greenwood, drummer Aaron Blewett, and acclaimed Canadian pianist Brian Dickinson) using his compositions as vehicles to move fluidly from cutting-edge modern jazz to heartbreaking ballads to free improvisation and back again. Augmented by subtle overdub recording, the band explores soundscapes that are fully acoustic as well as ones far more surreal; all while never letting go of their strong roots in the history of Canadian jazz. The record is available worldwide August 16th, 2024.

Awards

Toronto Musician’s Association Carne H. Bray Memorial Award (2019)

Lenny Boyd Memorial Award (2020)

AM 740 Award (2022)

AM 740 Award (2023)

Gear

1951 Kay M-1 Double Bass

Pirastro Perpetual Strings

Fishman Full Circle Pickup

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