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Uncovering the Legacy of Charlie Parker
A Complex Relationship with Kansas City
Charlie Parker had a complicated relationship with his hometown of Kansas City, MO, marked by both the city’s history of racial segregation and his strong ties to his family and friends there.
A New Collection of Rare Recordings
This new set of rare recordings, entitled Bird in Kansas City, chronicle Bird’s evolution from a blossoming soloist with the Jay McShann Band into a brilliant improviser who dominated the jazz landscape for decades to come. The recordings date from 1941-1951 and showcase Parker’s growth as a musician.
Most of the songs included on this forthcoming release, out October 25, have never been heard before, and some were not even known to have existed in the first place.
In addition to two unreleased 78s with the McShann band, this set offers two sets of private recordings made with local musicians at the home of Bird’s friend Phil Baxter and at Vic Damon’s studio. These recordings feature Parker with relaxed and improvisational playing, showcasing the shape of jazz to come.
Recent Essential Bird Releases
This isn’t the only essential Bird release to have recently arrived. In December, Verve Records/UMe and Third Man Records reissued Charlie Parker’s 1957 collection Now’s The Time: The Genius of Charlie Parker #3, as part of the Verve By Request series pressed at Third Man Pressing in Detroit, Michigan.
The record was mastered from original analog sources by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound. As with all albums in the series, the LP was available in two audiophile-grade pressings: 180-gram black vinyl and a limited edition 180-gram yellow color vinyl variant. The Third Man Edition, which also includes a two-color, screen-printed jacket on archival French cover stock, custom printed and assembled in Detroit, was available exclusively via Third Man Records and uDiscoverMusic.
A Critical Piece of Parker’s Discography
Now’s The Time: The Genius of Charlie Parker #3 served as the third in a series of albums expanding on Bird’s 10” Clef releases from the early 1950s. The LP features some of Parker’s purest recordings and strongest playing, featuring two different quartets, including a consortium of bona fide jazz legends: pianists Hank Jones and Al Haig, bassists Percy Heath and Teddy Kotick, and drummer Max Roach.
Order Bird in Kansas City Today!
Conclusion
Charlie Parker’s legacy continues to be celebrated through the release of rare and essential recordings. Bird in Kansas City offers a unique glimpse into Parker’s early career and development as a musician, while Now’s The Time: The Genius of Charlie Parker #3 serves as a critical piece of his discography. These releases demonstrate the importance of preserving and sharing the music of jazz legends like Charlie Parker.
FAQs
Q: When will Bird in Kansas City be released?
A: Bird in Kansas City will be released on October 25.
Q: What is the significance of Bird in Kansas City?
A: This release chronicles Charlie Parker’s evolution from a blossoming soloist to a brilliant improviser, showcasing his growth as a musician.
Q: What other recent essential Bird releases have been reissued?
A: Now’s The Time: The Genius of Charlie Parker #3 was reissued in December as part of the Verve By Request series.
Q: What is the Third Man Edition of Now’s The Time: The Genius of Charlie Parker #3?
A: The Third Man Edition includes a two-color, screen-printed jacket on archival French cover stock, custom printed and assembled in Detroit, and was available exclusively via Third Man Records and uDiscoverMusic.
