Recognized for his work with drums and percussion, Frank Parker has quickly emerged as a rising talent in the music industry. He has performed with Patricia Barber, Jerry Butler, The Impressions, Gene Chandler, Billy Paul, Orbert Davis, Tanya Reed, Peven Everett & Seance Divine, Jump Rhythm Jazz Project, Kurt Elling Quartet, Ross Bon & The Mighty Blue Kings, Nine Point Nine, Ryan Cohan, Zzaje', Dee Alexander, Bobbi Wilsyn, The Cerqua Rivera Art Experience, Maggie Brown, Tammie McCann, Julia Huff, Nannette Frank, Sachal Vasandani, The New Black Repertory Jazz Ensemble, Project Stop-Time, Mr. Ali, Bill McFarland, and The Chicago Jazz Ensemble. He has also worked with ensembles which featured Benny Carter, Freddie Hubbard, Jon Faddis, Randy Brecker, Roy Hargrove, Nicholas Payton, Andy Bey, Mark Murphy, Joe Lovano, Bobby Watson, John Patitucci, Marcus Belgrave, Bobby Broom, Bunky Green, Willie Pickens, Kevin Mohogany, Karl Denson, Jon Hendricks, Bob Sheppard, Martin Short, Arturo Sandoval, John Fedchock, Jim Snidero, Herbie Mann, Von Freeman, Chris Potter, and John Murphy.



Frank attended Western Illinois University where he performed with the Jazz Studio Orchestra. He performed on two recordings with the band, the Grammy nominated Jazz At The Crossroads (1992) and The Third Degree (1994). He has performed concerts in the U.S., South America, Canada, Europe, Australia, and Asia and has been featured at the Chicago Jazz Festival, Sante Fe Jazz Festival, Montreal Jazz Festival, JVC Jazz Festival, North Sea Jazz Festival, Monterey Jazz Festival, Pescara Jazz Festival, and the International Association of Jazz Educators Convention (IAJE).



Frank has also served as an instructor teaching drums, percussion, and music business courses at Benedictine University and Columbia College. Currently, Frank spends much of his time composing, arranging, and producing his original music and music for other artists. His compositions incorporate jazz, funk, dance, pop, Afro, Latin, dance, and electronic music styles. Frank Parker can be heard on the following releases: Frank Parker (The Lounge Sessions Vol. 1), Kurt Elling (Man In The Air), Laurence Hobgood Trio (Crazy World), Chicago Jazz Ensemble (Kenton a la Russo), Western Illinois University (Jazz At The Crossroads), Western Illinois University (The Third Degree), Charles Matthews (Mr. Keys), Joan Callaso/Larry Hanks Trio (Live), Ryan Cohan (Real World), Bobbi Wilsyn (It’s About Time), Erin McDougald (The Auburn Collection), Natalia Nazarova (Listen With Your Heart), Brad Wheeler (The Future Was Yesterday), Orbert Davis (Live with Strings Attached-video), Andre Harris (Africa), Peven Everett (Gabriel), La Tira (Son de La Tira), Larry Wilson (Freely), Tanya Reed (The Debut), Shannon Harris (Desperado El Montuno, Black Asiatic Women).