The Jazz Organ Scene

France

Raphael Schécroun Raphael [Raph] (* 1930 in Oran/Algeria) was a jazz pianist, organist, and drummer. He worked under his stage name Errol Parker.   Mostly self-taught on piano, he moved to Paris in 1947 to study sculpture but was soon playing jazz. Raphael recorded on sessions led by Kenny Clarke, James Moody, and Django Reinhardt, and played off and on with Don Byas during 1956 to 1958. He recorded some commercial music on organ in 1960 and then, to escape from an exclusive contract so as to record jazz versions of Top 40 material on piano, he used the pseudonym Errol Parker. The latter records sold so well that he permanently changed his name. A car accident in 1963 cut short his commercial success and forced Raphael to change his style.   After moving to New York in 1968, he formed the Errol Parker Experience, which featured two horns. Because he was not satisfied with any other drummers, he began doubling on drums himself and the first few records for his Sahara label find Raphael playing (via overdubbing) both piano and drums. In 1982, while teaching at the Williamsburg Music Center, he formed a big band that eventually became his tentet. Due to the eight horns he utilized, Raphael stopped playing piano except for solo engagements and stuck to drums. His recordings (which include a solo piano tribute to Thelonious Monk) utilized such sidemen as Robin Eubanks, Wallace Roney, Donald Harrison, Steve Coleman, Graham Haynes, Philip Harper, Byard Lancaster, and Jimmy Owens, among others. Raphael died in 1998.   from Scott Yanow @ allmusic.com

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