Charlie Parker

At the end of September of 1947, Charlie Parker returned to perform at Carnegie Hall joining Dizzy Gillespie’s band. Songs from that concert can be found on Bird’s collection THE COMPLETE LIVE PERFORMANCES ON SAVOY. Listen now: open.spotify.com/album/5atR6Z1Y…

For this May 1947 JATP performance at Carnegie Hall, Charlie Parker joined an expanded all star band including Coleman Hawkins on tenor saxophone, Roy Eldridge on trumpet, and Buddy Rich on drums.

May of 1947 marked one of the earliest moments Bebop hit a prestige stage - Norman Granz’s Jazz at The Philharmonic (JATP) concert was performed at Carnegie Hall.

The San Francisco Chronicle in their review of the Charlie Parker sextet’s 1950 album, credited Bird for being “superb” on the collection and that with regard to the other players that he “kicks the others along to somewhere near his own plane.” Listen now open.spotify.com/track/2fTlon9p…

Though this 1947 recording of “Crazeology” is only 3 minutes long, the introductory melody is extended and the solos feel expansive: it truly is “crazy” how one can feel like time just stops during this tune.

“Crazeology,” a Charlie Parker tune written by bebop composer and trumpeter Benny Harris, was recorded in 1947 by the Charlie Parker Sextet. It appeared on the group’s 1950 album.

If you enjoy “April in Paris” this collection includes a live recording of Bird’s rendition with strings, captured at Carnegie Hall in September 1950. Listen now: open.spotify.com/album/6hbBMQvR…

A follow up album was recorded in July 1950, and in 1995 the entire two album set was put together with additional songs, titled CHARLIE PARKER WITH STRINGS: THE MASTER TAKES.

“April in Paris” was one of six jazz standards recorded during the November 1949 sessions for the first CHARLIE PARKER WITH STRINGS album. open.spotify.com/track/2g9x6cqh…

Rest in peace to the one and only Charlie “Yardbird” Parker. His music and influence continue to live on.  #BirdLives

Given the musician union strike had just ended in November of 1944 + that there had been a two year pause in recording new swing and jazz music, understandably the development of bebop had not yet been captured on record before “Groovin’ High”. Listen now open.spotify.com/track/0UWoHpFN…

Recorded on this date in 1945 with Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie’s infamous “Groovin’ High” is called the “first famous bebop recording” by jazz scholar Thomas Owens.

This US Postal Service stamp to commemorate Charlie Parker’s contribution to jazz was issued in 1995 as part of the Jazz Musician stamp series that celebrated 10 legendary jazz musicians.

Chuck Haddix wrote “Bird: The Life and Music of Charlie Parker” and on Bird’s official website, Haddix distills Charlie Parker’s importance and story for those who want to kick off their further interest in this most remarkable Black American. charlieparkermusic.com/about/

#BlackHistoryMonth How do you celebrate one of the most revolutionary American musicians of the 20th Century? That would be saxophonist, bandleader and composer Charlie “Yardbird” Parker.

The audio of this 1954 conversation between Bird and fellow sax man Paul Desmond highlights Charlie Parker’s dedication to the quality of his art. The footage is from a 1950 film that producer Norman Granz made of Parker with a quintet via @wise_musician instagram.com/reels/DAqpnKRP…

Sonny Rollins played with Charlie Parker on a 1953 recording session for Miles Davis, on a tune titled “Compulsion”. Listen now. open.spotify.com/track/2euGIPbG…

In this short clip, Sonny Rollins tells the Jazz Video Guy why he feels Bird stood apart from many of his peers in the jazz world. youtube.com/watch?v=SCerNb…

Saxophonist Sonny Rollins, now 95, was early in his career when Charlie Parker was making an impact on the world of jazz, and says that “Bird was definitely our inspiration.”