50th anniversary of Charlie Parker's death!

Burr Oxley · Post by **Burr Oxley** » 11 Mar 2005 10:07 am

Saw on another music forum that tomorrow will be half a century since alto sax player Charlie Parker died far too young. Many country and steel players won't be much interested, but Bird had quite an influence on music in general! I've heard a a few steel players perform some Parker tunes, so there must be at least a little interest among steel players!

Andy Greatrix · Post by **Andy Greatrix** » 11 Mar 2005 10:12 am

I've always and always will be in awe of his musicality. He left a deep and wide furrow.

Burr Oxley · Post by **Burr Oxley** » 11 Mar 2005 10:19 am

I'm thinking that Doug Jernigan has some "Bird" tunes on a couple of his CD's.

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 11 Mar 2005 11:13 am

Not only Doug Jernigan. Buddy Emmons, Jim Loessberg, Jim Cohen, and Mike Cass all have Parker tunes in their personal repertoires. And all play the fire out of them as well.

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Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 11 Mar 2005 1:23 pm

I hope all those who know and admire the work of the "Bird" are also aware of the accomplishments James Europe.

I hope so, but that's probably not the case.

Roy Ayres · Post by **Roy Ayres** » 11 Mar 2005 1:34 pm

Here's a link to the "Yardbird's" official web site. Nice bio there.
Charlie Parker's Official Website

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Burr Oxley · Post by **Burr Oxley** » 11 Mar 2005 2:04 pm

Here's a link to some info on James Europe.
http://www.worldwar1.com/sfjre.htm

Bob Markison · Post by **Bob Markison** » 11 Mar 2005 4:49 pm

Burr - Thanks! Bird was and is a profound influence. He brought absolute confidence to the art of improvisation. I've never heard a more certain improviser on any instrument. The freshness and phrasing were always incredible. Listen to his interview with Paul Desmond if you can find it (part of a PBS radio Nancy Wilson-narrated bio some years ago). He spoke with great humility and confirmed that he paid his own dues at a rate of 11 hours of practice per day. Desmond expressed surprise at Bird's practice regimen and Bird said "even a good pair of shoes needs to be polished". Bird was musically fearless and opened countless doors for all subsequent improvisers. Just listen to KoKo (1945) and it tells the whole story. I equate Bird's output (to his 1955 death) to Bach's Art of the Fugue (1750) by way of a powerful summary statement of music past and future. Thanks for putting up the thread. Amazing artist. - Bob

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 12 Mar 2005 5:03 am

It occurs to me that the steel guitar was first used to play horn lines, in the same way that Jaco Pastorius played horn lines on the bass.
I can see how Paul Desmond admired Parker; Desmond described himself as 'the slowest saxaphone player in the world.'
But both Parker and Pastorius died too early; playing with fire can burn you up.

Michael Haselman · Post by **Michael Haselman** » 14 Mar 2005 6:35 pm

If you want to read the best musical bio ever written, check out "Bird Lives" by Ross Russell.

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Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 15 Mar 2005 3:19 am

Desmond and Parker couldn't be more different but I love to listen to both of them. Unlike 99% of critics over the past 50+ years I even like Parker with Strings. And Desmond with Jim Hall has to be among the most sublime jazz ever recorded.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 15 Mar 2005 6:26 am

I, too, always liked Parker with strings. He still played awesomely. He didn't change his style one iota just 'cuz there were strings on the gig, and the way he just floats over the strings is super. I even don't mind the voices singing "In the Still of the Night" while Parker blows 2 choruses of 32nd notes underneath the vocal. How can ya not like that??

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 15 Mar 2005 7:06 am

Yeah! Dancing in the Dark, Just Friends ... fantastic tracks. 'Dancing' was even a juke box hit. Great stuff even if Mitch Miller (who could usually wreck almost anything) was involved.