Stephen Parisi Jr. Releases Debut Album Buddy!
A Bassist’s Tribute to Mentorship, Legacy, and the Communities That Sustain Jazz
On February 20, 2026, bassist and composer Stephen Parisi Jr. releases his debut album Buddy! on Shifting Paradigm Records. Featuring Parisi on bass alongside guitarist Josh Achiron, pianist Nicholas Olynciw, drummer Kabir Dalawari, and saxophonist Jordan Lerner, the album is produced by Buffalo piano legend and longtime mentor George Caldwell. Rooted in Parisi’s experiences in Buffalo and Chicago, Buddy! presents a set of original compositions that foreground apprenticeship, family, and local scenes as essential forces in the continuation of jazz.
Originally from Buffalo, New York, Parisi has steadily built a reputation as one of the region’s most in-demand bassists before relocating to Chicago to further immerse himself in that city’s deep jazz tradition. Over the course of his young career, Parisi has performed with a wide range of established artists across straight-ahead jazz, big band, and contemporary settings, while also touring nationally with ensembles including the Glenn Miller Orchestra. In parallel with his work as a performer, Parisi has remained deeply committed to composition, arrangement, and education, studying with respected mentors such as Tom Matta, Bill Dobbins, and Dave Rivello. Reflecting on Parisi’s early work, one colleague noted that his playing “demonstrates a deep respect for tradition while speaking clearly in a personal voice.”
That balance between respect and individuality sits at the heart of Buddy!. Conceived as a series of musical portraits, the album traces the people and relationships that have shaped Parisi’s musical identity. Rather than treating mentorship and community as abstract ideals, Parisi renders them tangible through melody, harmony, and ensemble interaction. Each composition is named for — and inspired by — a specific individual, situating the music firmly within lived experience. For Parisi, the album is both a statement of gratitude and a reminder of responsibility. As he explains, Buddy! is “about acknowledging the people who invested in me, and recognizing that being part of a jazz community means carrying those lessons forward.”
The album opens with the title track, “Buddy!,” a tribute to Parisi’s father, Stephen Parisi Sr., affectionately known as “Big Steve,” a respected Buffalo pianist and composer. The piece establishes the album’s reflective tone, balancing warmth with forward motion. “Tro,” dedicated to Parisi’s mother Kristen, follows with a sense of steadiness and resolve, mirroring her unwavering support of Parisi’s musical path. “The Italian Space Program,” written for Parisi’s uncle Angelo “Pooch” Puccio, brings a lighter touch, pairing rhythmic playfulness with tightly woven ensemble lines.
Family connections continue with “Lascialo,” honoring Parisi’s Aunt Maria and Uncle Lew Custode. The tune unfolds patiently, allowing the group’s collective sound to breathe while highlighting Parisi’s compositional clarity. Across these early tracks, listeners hear a band deeply attuned to one another, shaped by long-standing friendships rather than studio convenience.
The album also extends its focus to Parisi’s musical peers and mentors. “The Kid,” written for guitarist Josh Achiron, reflects the close personal and musical bond between the two, with interlocking lines that emphasize dialogue over display. “Shikata Ga Nai,” dedicated to pianist Seiji Yamashita, nods to an important artistic influence, blending subtle harmonic turns with an understated rhythmic feel that rewards close listening.
Throughout Buddy!, Parisi’s writing leaves ample space for the ensemble to contribute its own voice, reinforcing the album’s central message: jazz is sustained not by individuals in isolation, but by networks of trust, shared history, and mutual respect. Producer George Caldwell’s presence is felt not through overt intervention, but through the album’s coherence and sense of purpose, guiding the project with the perspective of someone who has long witnessed the cycles of mentorship within jazz communities.
In bringing these elements together, Buddy! offers more than a debut statement. It stands as a reminder that jazz remains a living art form only when musicians stay connected to the people and places that nurture it. With this release, Stephen Parisi Jr. affirms his place within that continuum, presenting music that looks forward by first looking back — and inviting listeners to do the same.
TRACK LISTING
1. Shikata Ga Nai 5:22
2. Tro 5:11
3. Lascialo 4:38
4. The Judge (For Ray) 7:15
5. The Kid 4:49
6. Shukria (Drum Interlude) :57
7. The Italian Space Program (For Angelo) 4:50
8. I Tried to Buy a Shark on the Dark Web 4:13
9. Buddy! 4:26