Chuck Parrish

Chuck Parrish (b. Louisville - ) – Trumpet player. Chuck Parrish grew up in Terre Haute and learned to play the trumpet at Indiana State University Laboratory School under the direction of Judy Grimes. After graduating from Terre Haute South High School in 1981 (after State High School had closed in 1978), Parrish took time away from the trumpet in favor of preparing for a medical profession. His life changed directions in the fall of 1986 when he enrolled at Indiana State University (back in Terre Haute) and devoted himself to his instrument, practicing hours on end in the office of instrument repairman Steve Prescott. After a year at ISU and a short time at the University of Illinois, he landed the lead trumpet job with the Ray Charles Band, with which he toured worldwide for seven years. He also played lead with Mel Torme (2 years) and the Woody Herman Orchestra (1 year). Since 1992, he has freelanced in Chicago and has been a member of Bill Russo’s Chicago Jazz Ensemble (7 years), the Barrett Deems Orchestra at the Elbow Room (3 years), the Big Band of Chicago at the Green Mill (7 years), the Clark Street Band, and the Paul Dietrich Jazz Ensemble.