A brilliant student, Aaron Parks began his studies at the University of Washington at the tender age of 14. At 16, he was accepted into the Manhattan School of Music. In his final few years there, Parks released three Blue Note recordings with trumpet player Terence Blanchard and also toured with Blanchard. Dubbed a "visionary" by the magazine Jazz Times, Parks has also penned the soundtracks for several Spike Lee films. His 2008 debut CD, Invisible Cinema, reflected the combined influences of classical music, progressive jazz, groove bop, indie rock, film music and hip-hop. With Joshua Redman, Eric Harland and Matt Penman Farm, Parks also tours and records as James Farm.The quartet released its eponymous debut in 2011.