Memorial to Charlie Parker at the American Jazz Museum at 18th and Highland in Kansas City

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Charlie

Charles \"Bird\" Parker, Jr. (August 29, 1920 – March 12, 1955) was an American jazz saxophonist and composer. Early in his career Parker was dubbed \"Yardbird\" (there are many contradictory stories of its origin). more...

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It was later shortened to \"Bird\" and remained Parker's nickname for the rest of his life and inspiration for the titles of his works, such as \"Yardbird Suite\" and \"Bird Feathers\". The New York City nightclub Birdland was named after him, as were the George Shearing song \"Lullaby of Birdland\" and the Weather Report's composition \"Birdland.\"

A persistent myth, repeated by many reputable sources, including the Encyclopedia Britannica, is that Christopher was Parker's second Christian name.

Place in jazz history

Parker is commonly considered one of the greatest jazz musicians; like Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and Miles Davis, he is among the iconic figures of jazz. Jazz critic Scott Yanow speaks for many jazz fans and musicians when he states that \"Parker was arguably the greatest saxophonist of all time.\" A founding figure of bebop, Parker's innovative approach to melody, rhythm and harmony was enormously influential on his contemporaries, and his music remains an inspiration and resource for contemporary jazz musicians of all stripes. Several of Parker's songs have become standards of the repertoire.

Parker also became an icon for the Beat generation, and was a pivotal figure in the evolving conception of the jazz musician as an uncompromising artist and intellectual, rather than just a popular entertainer. At various times, Parker fused jazz with other musical styles, from classical (seeking to study with Edgard Varèse and Stefan Wolpe) to Latin music (recordings with Machito), blazing paths followed later by others.

Parker's soaring, fast, rhythmically asymmetrical improvisations could amaze the listener; nevertheless close inspection shows each line to hold a complete, well-constructed phrase with each note in place. Parker's harmonic ideas were revolutionary, introducing a new tonal vocabulary employing 9ths, 11ths and 13ths of chords, rapidly implied passing chords, and new variants of altered chords and chord substitutions. His tone was clean and penetrating, but sweet and plaintive on ballads. Although many Parker recordings demonstrate dazzling virtuoso technique and complex melodic lines — the early \"Ko-Ko\" is a superb example — he was also one of the great blues players. His themeless blues improvisation \"Parker's Mood\" represents one of the most deeply affecting recordings in jazz, as fundamental as Armstrong's classic \"West End Blues.\"

Biography

Childhood

Charlie Parker was born in Kansas City, Kansas and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. He was the only child of Charles and Addie Parker. There is no evidence that Parker showed unusual musical talent as a child. Parker's father presumably provided some musical influence; he was a pianist, dancer and singer on the T.O.B.A. circuit, although he later became a Pullman waiter or chef on the railways. His mother worked nights at the local Western Union.