Lisa Parrott
Baritone

"…one of Australia's most creative jazz musicians."

Jim McLeod, Australian Jazz and Blues

Born in Australia, 100 miles north of Sydney, Lisa started studying clarinet and piano from the age of six. As a teenager she switched to saxophone when she discovered jazz and moved to Sydney after high school. Lisa first came to New York in 1993, and received two Australia Council for the Arts grants to study in New York with saxophonists/composers Steve Coleman and Lee Konitz.

Her career has taken off in NY as leader as well as sideperson. She has performed with such great musicians as Dave Brubeck, Nancy Wilson, Skitch Henderson and the New York Pops, Diane Schuur, Gregory Hines, Rachel Z, Cindy Blackman, Gunther Schuller, Clifford Barbaro, Denis Charles, Lea Delaria, Jason Linder's Big Band, DIVA, Rob Reddy's Horn Choir, Kit McClure Big Band, the Jimmy Heath Big Band and the Jimmy Dorsey Big Band. She has toured with the best of Australia's ensembles, including John Pochee's Ten Part Invention, Paul Grabowsky's Australia Art Orchestra, Lloyd Swanton's The Catholics, James Morrison's Big Band, Mara Kiek Quartet and Jackie Orszacksky.

She also has appeared numerous times on television and in magazines including Downbeat, CMJ Music magazine, Billboard, Vogue (Australia), Dolly and Australian Jazz and Blues.

Lisa has performed frequently at International Festivals since 1987. Highlights include:

• New York (Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Knitting Factory)
• Washington (John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts)
• Canada (Montreal, Ottawa)
• Australia (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Wangaratta)
• Germany (Kassel, Berghausen, Weinheim)
• Jamaica, Indonesia, and Austria

Lisa currently plays the baritone saxophone chair in DIVA, leads her own trio, co-leads a quartet with her sister Nicki, and is teaching and freelancing in New York City.

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