Elisha "Atlas" Parris - The Story of a Preacher's Kid (2021)

Jacksonville-based keyboardist and composer Elisha Atlas Parris started playing keyboard when he was 12 years old. From a musical and spiritual family, his musicianship was strongly influenced by both his father(pastor/trombonist) and his mother (piano teacher/church musician). Elisha's first "gig" was playing the Hammond C3 organ, piano, and synths at his father's Pentecostal church. It was in that unique spiritually and improvisationally free environment Elisha developed his distinctive style of keyboard performance. Elisha received his formal training from the Dean's Music Conservatory and Edward Waters College. Since then, he has released three instrumental albums, two gospel albums, in addition to appearing on over 30 albums as a keyboardist, writer, or producer.

Over the past 30 years, Atlas has been afforded the opportunity to play as a bandleader or sideman for jazz festivals and clubs across the country such as the Jacksonville Jazz Festival ("second-largest jazz festival in the nation" according to Superpages), Jax Beach Jazz Series, Sun Fest, Golden Isles Summer Music Series, Sundown Music Series, The House of Blues and The Historic B Sharp Jazz Cafe. He's also served as Music Director for several plays, recording projects, and artists including the Stellar Award-winning inspirational jazz duo, Allen & Allen.

In Summer 2021, Elisha will be releasing his 4th instrumental album as a leader (and his first new project in 7 years), called "The Story of a Preacher's Kid" on PEInc Records. He's also currently working on a volume of 70s covers and a collection of sacred hymns.