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Andrew Barker Drums, composer. b. 19 September 1971

Percussionist, composer, and improviser Andrew Barker has been performing and recording in a variety of contexts since age 10. Through the late 80s and early 90s, Barker worked with local rock and experimental groups. In 1993, Along with alto saxophonist Charles Waters, Barker co-founded the new music ensemble, Gold Sparkle Band. Through extensive touring in the US, and unique approach to composition with an emphasis on improvisation, the group maintained a cult status usually afforded only to rock bands. In 1996, Barker met Atlanta native Sirone (Norris Jones) of the Revolutionary Ensemble. The great bassist became somewhat of a mentor, emphasizing the importance of the group concept. That same year Barker released an LP in duo with Waters on his own indie label Earmark23 records.

In 1998, encouraged by saxophonist Daniel Carter, Barker, along with Waters relocated to New York City. For several months, Andrew held the drum chair with trumpeter Roy Campbell Jr's quintet, "TAZ," in a weekly engagement at the legendary Harlem Jazz club, the Lenox Lounge. Soon after, Barker joined bassist William Parker's "Little Huey Creative Music Orchestra,” and Chris Jonas' "The Sun Spits Cherries" quartet. Becoming a regular in New York's creative music scene, Barker has performed with artists such as Daniel Carter, pianist Matthew Shipp, saxophonist Sabir Mateen, saxophonist Rob Brown, saxophonist John Zorn, conductor Butch Morris, and guitarist Thurston Moore. In December of 2002, Barker embarked on a tour in France with the legendary saxophonist Sonny Simmons, with whom he appears on two recordings. Barker continues work with the now Gold Sparkle Trio, and the Barker Quintet featuring Rob Brown, Hilliard Greene, Charles Waters, and Adam Roberts. In 2005-07, Barker composed, arranged, and mixed music for the Sundance Channel’s television documentary, “Iconoclasts.”

SELECTED DISCOGRAPHY

As a Leader or Collective:

Andrew Barker / Charles Waters Duo S/T. Earmark23 Records 1996.

Andrew Barker / Charles Waters Duo "Dialouges in Now." QBICO records. 2004.

Andrew Barker / Daniel Carter Duo "Common Soldier" Qbico Records. 2000.

Andrew Barker / Daniel Carter / Sabir Mateen “Not on earth…In your soul!” 2006.

Andrew Barker / Matthew Shipp / Charles Waters "Apolistic Polyphony" Drimala Records. 2003.

Gold Sparkle Band "Earthmover" Third Eye Records. 1995

Gold Sparkle Band "Downsizing" NU records. 1997

Gold Sparkle Band "Nu Soul Zodiac" Squealer Records. 2000.

Gold Sparkle Band "Fugues and Flowers" Squealer Records. 2002.

Gold Sparkle Trio “Thunder Reminded Me" Clean Feed Records. 2003

Gold Sparkle Trio with Ken Vandermark “Brooklyn Cantos” Squealer Records. 2005.

As a sideman:

William Parker's Little Huey Creative Music Orchestra

"The Mayor of Punkville" Aum Fidelity Records. 2000.

"Raincoat in the River" Eremite Records. 2002.

"Spontaneous" Splasc(H) Records. 2003.

"For Percy Heath” Victo Records. 2006.

Chris Jonas "The Sun Spits Cherries" Hopscotch Records. 1999.

Chris Jonas featuring Myra Melford "the Vermillion" Hopscotch Records. 2001.

Assif Tsahar Zoanthropic Orchestra "Embracing the Void" Hopscotch Records. 2001.

Sonny Simmons Renegade Society “New York 2002” featuring Sonny Simmons Parallactic Recordings. 2003.

Sonny Simmons Internal Renegade Society NYC “Vol. 1. CBGB” 2003

The Holy Childhood (Danny Leo) “Up with what I’m down with” Gern Blansden Records. 2000.

Kelly Hogan “The Whistle only dogs can hear” Long Play Records. 1996.

Tara Jane O’neal “Peregrine” QuarterStick records. 2000

Chris Lee. Self titled. Misra Records. 2000.

Melts. Salicoutinaw. 227 Records. 1993.