Biography

From Classical to Blues, Jazz to Gospel, and every genre in between- James Robinson-Parran is the quintessential well rounded musician. Born in Chicago, James began taking piano lessons at the age of five.  By the age of eight, he had started playing violin as well.  Gifted with a wonderful voice, James was a featured soloist by the age of ten.

In high school, won several musical awards, including a 1st and 3rd place showings place showings at the Swedish Days Piano Competition in Geneva, IL; six regional ACT-SO awards; three appearances at the national ACT-SO competitions ; and a gold cup awarded by the Piano Teachers Guild.

James furthered his music studies at DePaul University, where his major teachers were Mary Sauer, Melody Lord, and George Tenegal.  During this time led to appearances in an American Premiere of a Philip Glass opera; sharing a stage with Andy Williams; and many appearences as a solo pianist, composer, and singer.   James also holds a Masters of Arts degree from Concordia University Chicago, where his teachers included composition teacher Jonathan Stahlke and pianist Kuang Hao Huang.

James has been active as a composer, conductor, pianist, songwriter and soloist.  Some notable experiences include commissions by the Chicago Composers Forum, several appearances as principal conductor, pianist, and vocal soloist with Friendship Baptist Church in Chicago, an appearance with the Jazz band of Morgan Park High School at the Chicago Jazz Fest, as well as work with Circle Theatre, Open Door Repertory Theater, the Jeff Kowalkowski Ensemble, Lucky Pierre, and many others.

James Robinson-Parran resides in the Chicago land area where he is still active as a musician, music teacher, songwriter, bandleader (lead vocalist, songwriter, and keyboardist for the band Justice Prevails!, and vocalist.  He is a member of BMI and the Chicago Composers Forum.

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