The Duane Parham Society

Duane Parham

Duane Parham is a Detroit-based artist and saxophonist who has dedicated his entire life to jazz music. Not only is he a talented musician, he is also a passionate educator who wants to introduce people to the nuances and sophistication of this quintessentially American musical genre. His love for jazz and Motown is evident in his painstaking and meticulous research for authentic aesthetics and high-level musicianship. Whether it’s rhythm and blues, pop, soul, jazz or Motown, Parham has explored a huge variety of sounds and styles throughout his storied career. He’s always been able to keep an open mind, which allowed him to further expand his reach and strike up fruitful partnerships with other great musicians overtime. His studio output and live music work have been astounding and consistent in terms of quality, and he has been incredibly busy crafting quality music, even in recent years.

Duane Parham, a prolific artist with so much still left to give, has built a very significant legacy on Detroit’s music and beyond with a broad selection of acclaimed albums, singles, and recording projects over the years. His studio work is as exceptional as his revered live performances, showcasing his broad scope and versatility, both live and in the studio.

Some of Parham's most notable recent recorded performances include "I Need a Miracle" (Motor City Sax Appeal, 2010) as well as amazing recordings of “My Turn” and "Your Precious Love," which were released in 2023 and 2021 respectively. Inducted into the "Detroit Legends of Jazz Hall of Fame," Duane Parham achieved the distinction of being the youngest member in this prestigious group during his induction. As a performer, he has shared stages with some of the most influential figures on the scene. These include individuals such as motivational speakers Les Brown and Iyanla Vanzant, as well as R&B and Soul icons Anita Baker, Martha Reeves, Freda Payne, and Spider Turner.

Parham has also showcased his talent alongside gospel luminaries like Michael Matthews, The Clark Sisters, Shirley Caesar, and Rance Allen, only to mention a few.

Parham is a highly esteemed jazz musician from Detroit who is widely recognized as an innovator, visionary, and exceptional performer in the genres of Smooth Jazz, R&B, and Gospel Music. Over the years, he has received numerous accolades and recognitions for his outstanding contributions to the music industry, including being awarded the prestigious Detroit Black Music Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022. His impressive resume of opening for influential figures and performing alongside renowned artists further underscores his versatility and impact across different musical realms, adding to the significance of his accomplishments.

SAXOPHONIST DUANE PARHAM
RECIPIENT OF THE
2022 DETROIT BLACK MUSIC LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Saxophonist Duane Parham is one of Detroit’s most beloved jazz artists. He is recognized as an innovator, visionary and top performer in Smooth Jazz, R&B and Gospel Music.

Born and raised in Detroit, MI, Duane’s latest project includes releasing a CD of the Marvin Gaye/Tammy Terrell song “Your Precious Love,” featuring Vocalist Tammy (Trele) Davis. That song will be on an upcoming album entitled “Sugar Melts” featuring The Four Tops and The Contours.

Most of us remember Detroit City is Coming Back, a song that reaches across racial, ethnic and political lines, and promotes the Motor City nationally and internationally. To accomplish this goal, Producer Parham assembled over 200 outstanding musicians, whose sole purpose was to record and proactively offer the song as a musical way to lift the spirit of Detroit, promote citizen awareness, unity, and help the city move forward.

Prior to that, he delivered a Mo-Jazz tribute to Motown Records with a CD entitled Motor City Sax Appeal: My Tribute to the Motown Legends, with guest appearances by The Four Tops, The Miracles, The Contours, The Original Vandellas, Pat Lewis, Carolyn Crawford and five-time Grammy award winner Michael J. Powell. Producers of the CD were Carl “Butch” Small and Maurice Whitsett.

Parham, teacher and minister of music, is the recipient of five Mayoral Proclamations of Achievement from Mayors Coleman A. Young, Dennis W. Archer and Dave Bing of Detroit along with Mayor Martha G. Scott of Highland Park, for accomplishments in the development of Music Arts and his outstanding contribution to the progress of both communities. He also received the Spirit of Detroit Award from the Honorable Mayor Dave Bing for producing and arranging Dream Detroit and the documentary, The Unsung of the Motown Empire.

Presently, Walter Duane Parham is Founder and CEO of Educational Arts Society, a 501 c 3 nonprofit, that assists young artists in developing a professional music skill-set, coupled with a core value skill-set. The Parham Academy of Performing Arts, one of the “legs” of the organization, focuses on delivering FREE instruments and lessons to under-privileged children in Detroit and surrounding cities.

His book Can You Hear Me Now? which debuted in prose and CD format, was released in 2020 and can be found on Amazon and other book companies around the world. Life lessons learned and underscored in the book, are values and lessons that lead to positive life direction and are showcased by talk show hosts on his worldwide radio station (link hidden).

True to his gospel roots, currently, Duane serves as a saxophonist at Greater New Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist.

(link hidden) is the website for “Educational Arts Music & Talk Radio,” an online radio station that has existed for eight (8) years. It plays a variety of genres 24/7: jazz, smooth jazz, blues, gospel, country, Motown and more… DJs and talk show hosts enhance the station by “spinning their own sounds” and talking with interviewees from all walks of life. Join Duane at “EAMT – the Place 2B!”

Video Links:
(1) Your Precious Love FINAL VIDEO 2 6 2022 FULL - YouTube
(1) The Detroit Black Music Awards Duane Parham - YouTube

Stage Plot

Note: This stage plot is created from the audience perspective. Simplistically, it is how a seated audience sees the band.

Front Middle: Saxophonist and Vocalist
Second Row: Keyboards - Lead Guitar
Back Row: Drums – Bass Guitar

Also Five (5) Stage Monitors – Three (3) is Required
Note: When Background singers are used, they are situated on the front row right of lead vocalist.

Additional Information:
Sound: Our equipment is limited to small venues. For festivals or large audiences, we do not provide sound or sound tech.
Lights: Small venues.
All musicians have personal microphones for instrument. Duane has three (3). Large venues must provide microphones.

Band Members: Saxophonist, vocalist, keyboardist, drummer, lead and bass guitarists. At times, percussionists and background singers are added. (additional cost).
Drummer: Bass Drum and Snare Should Have a Mic – At Least One Overhead Mic for Drums