CHARLIE PARKER (What a chicken!) Jazz History #47

Charlie ’Yardbird’ Parker lived only a decade after the release of his first record and there is only one video clip of him actually playing. Those are astonishing facts when you consider his monumental impact on the evolution of jazz. As the undisputed leader of the bebop movement in the 1940s, he stood at the forefront of what could still be seen as the start of the modern jazz era, nearly a century hence. Bird’s story is one of tragic genius, and one might wonder ’what if’. But his music was fully formed and complete, so perhaps he fulfilled his destiny in spite of his truncated life. In any case, his position atop the jazz pantheon has made him an almost mythological figure. The clips in this video of Jay McShann confirming the story of how Bird earned his nickname, and his humble nature revealed in an interview with Paul Desmond are worth the price of admission. Bird Lives! ABOUT THIS SERIES The Jazz History series is a video adaptation of a PowerPoint presentation used to teach a university course. It traces the roots of jazz from Ragtime at the turn of the 20th century to jazz-rock fusion at the end of the 1960s. You’ll find a lot more videos like this one in the JAZZ HISTORY playlist on this channel. If you want to learn more about the nuts and bolts of playing jazz, check out the videos in the JAZZ TACTICS playlist. JAZZ TACTICS SUGGESTIONS Do You Speak Jazz? What Makes Jazz Jazz? Why I Can’t Teach You Jazz What’s So Great About Chet Baker? Guido Basso: A Voice You Won’t Forget Trading Fours With Freddie Hubbard Improvising on Rhythm Changes ABOUT THIS CHANNEL On this channel, jazz trumpeter, educator and author Chase Sanborn offers information and advice for musicians and music appreciators. PLAYLISTS This link will take you to all the playlists on this channel: MORE INFORMATION For more in-depth and personal information and instruction, check out Chase’s books and online lesson options on his website: