Establishing himself as one of Canada's most in demand artists, pianist James Parker enjoys the variety of performing solo repertoire, concerti, vocal repertoire, and chamber music. Celebrated by critics, Mr. Parker has appeared across Canada, the U.S. and Europe. He has performed with every major Canadian orchestra including the Vancouver, Edmonton, Montréal, Calgary, Toronto, Québec City, Winnipeg and National Arts Centre orchestras, to name a few.  Mr. Parker has also given solo recitals across North America including command performances for dignitaries and diplomats at the Canada House in London and the French Embassy in Ottawa.

He can be heard in live concerts, radio broadcasts, and recordings and is a frequent guest on both radio and television. Mr. Parker has performed on Bravo!, the CanWest Global Network, MuchMusic and New York City's premier FM stereo classical music station, WNCN. He is also heard consistently on the CBC networks in Canada. James is a founding member of the Gryphon Trio and performs with them worldwide.

Mr. Parker achieved coast-to-coast recognition with his first prize win at the 1984 Eckhardt Gramatte National Music Competition and the Canadian recital tour that followed.  He has continued to capture major prizes, including CBC Radio's 25th National Competition for Young Performers, the Juilliard Concerto Competition and the Virginia P. Moore Award as the most promising young classical artist in Canada. In 2004, James was awarded two JUNO Awards for his work with the Gryphon Trio and with soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian. This season will see him release a CD celebrating Mozart’s anniversary on CBC SM5000 label. Dr. Parker completed his graduate studies at The Juilliard School. He is currently a Professor at the University of Toronto, where he was appointed the Rupert E. Edwards Chair in Piano Performance in 2003.

Mr. Parker has recorded for CBC Musica Viva, CBC SM5000, Pelleas and Analekta.