photo: Mariana Pérez
Dave Parker is an accomplished saxophonist, singer, songwriter, playwright, screen writer and producer.
He was was a co-founder of the infamous Toronto jazz/rap group The Shuffle Demons with whom he recorded five discs, several videos and toured throughout Europe and North America from 1985 to 1995. He also composed or was the principal composer of many of the Shuffle Demon hit songs including the classics: “Spadina Bus” and “Out Of My House Roach”.
Since leaving the Shuffle Demons in 1995, he has been playing and recording in the Quebec City area both with his jazz trio, The Trio David Parker, (two discs), The Aurian Haller Band (one disc), Jig’s Up! (one disc) the electrifying sax quartet Sax-O-Matic (one disc), Saudade (three discs), The Dudes of Swing,(one EP), The Groove Music Project and the Ligue d'Impro Musicale de Québec, among others.
In 2014, he wrote, produced and performed in “Skates Randolf Gets the Blues”, an original full-length musical.
He is currently working as a writer/producer and performer in the Bell tv1 production of “Sax-O-Matic Solution”. It's a comedic 5-episode production that is scheduled for release in the Fall of 2025.
MUSICAL EXPERIENCE
1995 - present: Band Leader (Trio David Parker, The Dudes of Swing, Jig’s Up)
1984 - present: Co-founder (Sax-O-Matic, The Shuffle Demons)
1982 - present: Sideman (Saudade, The Groove Music Project)
1982 - present: Special guest (Blue Rodeo, Doctor John)
2001 - present: Performing member in the "League d'impro musicale de Québec"
MAIN RECORDINGS
The Shuffle Demons (5 discs), Saudade (3 discs), The Trio David Parker (2 discs), The Aurian Haller Band (1 disc),
Jig's Up! (1 disc), The Dudes of Swing (1 EP), Hockey Project (1 EP)
TELEVISION
“Sax-O-Matic Solution” (A comedic 5-episode series for Bell TV1)
Much Music, Musique plus, The Ralph Benmergui Show (CBC), The Lonesome Pine Special (PBS),
The Elephant Show (Sharron, Lois & Bram), Canada AM and others.
MUSIC VIDEOS
Spadina Bus, Out of My House Roach (both original compositions were in regular rotation on Much Music and Musique plus)
TOURING
Most major jazz and folk festivals in Canada and Western Europe as well as tours of the USA and Cuba.
AWARDS
Jazz Juno nomination for "Streetniks" (Shuffle Demons) 1986; Gold record for "Contact!" The All-Star Collection CD
"Theme from Hockey Night in Canada"
SONGWRITING
Over 40 original compositions on Itunes, Spotify etc.
MUSICAL THEATRE:
Writer/composer of "Skates Randolf Gets the Blues" - a jazz-flavoured twist on hockey and its' origins.
Band leader for the QAC productions of "Jesus Christ Superstar" (2018), "Hair"(2022) and Caboret (2024)
ACTING
2025: “Sax-O-Matic Solution” (A comedic 5-episode series for Bell TV1)
2024: “Skates Randolf Gets the Blues” (the musical)
2022: Silent actor for commercials (Métro de Montréal, Casino de Charlevoix)
2022: Background actor: Désobéir (serie à venir sur CRAVE)
2010: Conseil supérieur de la lanque française - web capsules
1986 -1995: Music videos with Shuffle Demons for Much Music etc.
1999 - 2022: Humerous musical clips with Sax-o-matic for Youtube (500,000+ views) and Tiktok (150,000+ views)
PRODUCER
2025: “Sax-O-Matic Solution” (A comedic 5-episode series for Bell TV1)
2024: “Skates Randolf Gets the Blues” (the musical)
JINGLES
Co-songwriter & saxophonist on "Ninja's Unboxing" 2012, (4.2 million views on Youtube);
Singer for "1-800 Got Junk" radio commercial.
NARRATION
Promo for Fraser Recovery Program (substance abuse help).
English overdubs for various businesses in the Quebec City area.
ADJUDICATION
Université de Laval saxophone juries; Rhythms International Music Festivals