J. D. Parran is an American multi-woodwind player, educator, and composer specializing in jazz and free improvisation.
Parran spent his college years in St. Louis, Missouri, where he attended Webster University and received an M.A.
While a university student, he joined the Black Artists' Group with Hamiet Bluiett.
He has taught at the City University of New York and Greenwich House Music School.
He also performs and records with Anthony Braxton's ensembles and has collaborated with Leroy Jenkins, Hamiet Bluiett, Douglas Ewart, John Lindberg, Peter Brötzmann, and the free improvisation group Company, which included Derek Bailey, Hugh Davies, Jamie Muir, Evan Parker, Vinko Globokar, and Joëlle Léandre.