A native of Seattle, Parks studied at the University of Washington at the age of 14[1] through the Transition School and Early Entrance Program as a double major in computer science and music.

[1] During his final year, he began touring with Terence Blanchard's band, recording three albums with them for Blue Note, including the Grammy-winning A Tale of God's Will (A Requiem for Katrina).

[1][2] Parks can be heard on the soundtracks: Their Eyes Were Watching God and the Spike Lee and films: Inside Man, She Hate Me, and When the Levees Broke.

He is a member of the band James Farm with saxophonist Joshua Redman, bassist Matt Penman, and drummer Eric Harland.

[1][5] Main sources:[11][12] James Farm With Joshua Redman, Matt Penman and Eric Harland With Terence Blanchard With Mike Moreno With Christian Scott With Dayna Stephens With others