The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #73612 Message #1278527
Posted By: GUEST,Frank Hamilton
22-Sep-04 - 03:44 PM
Thread Name: 'Bird' Parker's Sax on PBS show
Subject: RE: 'Bird' Parker's Sax on PBS show
This is a fascinating story. One famous statement by Al "Jazzbo" Collins, a disc jockey I think from New York but not sure somes it up perfectly.
"There were many who appreciated Bird but few who really understood him."
This is true today. Charlie Parker was one of the greatest jazz musicians who ever lived and was a leading influence in American music as was Louis Armstrong.
No one has ever matched him for sheer creativity in musical improvisation. Many have claimed to. It is also my belief that Charlie Yardbird Parker was also one of the greatest blues musicians to grace the planet.
His music remains so complex and advanced that it's no surprise that most people don't get it.