Charlie Parker Albums (10)
'Complete Live at Cafe Society'
Release Date 1/31/2008
Tracks 14
Label Rare Live
See Album Tracklist and Review
'Charlie Parker at Jirayr Zorthian's Ranch, July 14 1952'
Release Date 6/5/2006
Tracks 9
Label RLR
See Album Tracklist and Review
'Inspired By The Motion Picture Bird'
Release Date 11/16/1999
Tracks 22
Label Giants of Jazz
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Charlie Parker made a trip to the west coast of the United States in 1952 and though he was inconsistent at time during his final years due to health problems caused by his addiction to drugs and alcohol, he is definitely on during this jam session, recorded at the Trade Winds in a Los Angeles suburb. Traveling alone and working with local players, the alto saxophonist was auditioning for a trumpet player and hired the young, still little-known Chet Baker for the gig. The rest of the band included pianist Russ Freeman (who would later work extensively with Baker after the end of the Mulligan-Baker Quartet), bassist Harry Babison (who arranged the on-site recording), drummer Larance Marable, and alto saxophonist Sonny Criss. Criss manages to acquit himself quite well in the presence of the giant of his instrument, while Baker proves to be very impressive at this stage in his career. Unlike many of the informal live recordings made of Charlie Parker, the audio is quite surprising for a portable tape recorder, while opportunities for extended solos please both the musicians and the audience. Parker is in fine form throughout the evening, so this should be considered an essential CD for his fans. ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
'Bird on 52nd St.'
Release Date 1/1/1958
Tracks 15
Label Jazz Workshop
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Altoist Charlie Parker plays quite brilliantly on this live set (reissued on CD in the Original Jazz Classics series) with trumpeter Miles Davis, pianist Duke Jordan, bassist Tommy Potter and drummer Max Roach but the recording quality is consistently poor...For true Charlie Parker completists. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
The music on this CD features the famous Massey Hall concert which teamed together (for the last time on records) the unbeatable team of altoist Charlie Parker and trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie along with pianist Bud Powell, bassist Charles Mingus, and drummer Max Roach. The full quintet performs six of their standards; listen to Bird burn on "Salt Peanuts" as a reaction to Gillespie's clowning. This is timeless and highly recommended music. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
'Charlie Parker & Stars of Modern Jazz at Carnegie Hall (Christmas 1949)'
Release Date 1/1/1950
Tracks 16
Label Jass
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
This Carnegie Hall concert can be considered the height of the bebop era. Among the top young modernists heard near their early peaks are pianist Bud Powell, trumpeter Miles Davis, baritonist Serge Chaloff, altoist Sonny Stitt, trombonist Kai Winding, tenor-saxophonists Stan Getz and Warne Marsh, pianist Lennie Tristano, altoist Lee Konitz and Sarah Vaughan. But while their performances are consistently outsanding, Charlie Parker and his quintet (which includes trumpeter Red Rodney, pianist Al Haig, bassist Tommy Potter and drummer Roy Haynes) steals the show. Bird and Rodney rarely sounded more fiery than on their five songs and Parker's incredible solo on this version of "Ko Ko" might very well be his best. This CD is highly recommended for all collections. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Reissued many times but well worth acquiring in one form or another, the music on this double LP features the famous Massey Hall concert, which teamed together (for the last time on records) the unbeatable team of Charlie Parker and trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie along with pianist Bud Powell, bassist Charles Mingus, and drummer Max Roach. The full quintet performs six of its standards; listen to Bird burn on "Salt Peanuts" as a reaction to Gillespie's clowning. The second half of this set supposedly features the same rhythm trio, but four of the ten numbers actually date from four months later and find Bud Powell interacting with bassist George Duvivier and drummer Art Taylor! In any case, this is timeless and highly recommended music. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
