'Bird' Parker's Sax on PBS show

Subject: 'Bird' Parker's Sax on PBS show
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Sep 04 - 06:37 PM

History Detectives, on PBS, had a neat episode last night about a woman who owned a saxophone which her dad said he'd gotten from Charlie "Bird" Parker. The Detectives traced it back to find if the story was true. You can read the transcript of the show at this pdf file or go to www.pbs.org/opb/historydetectives/ and I think they have an archive of that segment.

It was really interesting, musically, with several film clips of him playing, etc.

FWIW,

kat

Subject: RE: 'Bird' Parker's Sax on PBS show
From: Leadfingers
Date: 21 Sep 04 - 08:28 PM

Be Bop was NEVER my favourite form of Jazz , but Bird was something else . Still prefer Johhny Dodds as a reed man though !

Subject: RE: 'Bird' Parker's Sax on PBS show
From: shepherdlass
Date: 22 Sep 04 - 01:50 PM

Thanks so much for this link - it's fascinating. The comment about how Bird could've made any old horn sound good reminds me of a (possibly apocryphal) story about Bernard Edwards - he of the immortal funky Chic basslines. When asked what strings he used to get that amazing bass sound, he replied "Dunno - what strings come with a Fender Precision?" - never once re-strung the instrument and just listen to how it sounded. Guess that's the kind of talent that only comes around once in a while.

Subject: RE: 'Bird' Parker's Sax on PBS show
From: GUEST,Frank Hamilton
Date: 22 Sep 04 - 03:44 PM

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.

Frank Hamilton

Subject: RE: 'Bird' Parker's Sax on PBS show
From: katlaughing
Date: 22 Sep 04 - 11:30 PM

I agree, Frank. Glad you all enjoyed the story. It was fascinating to watch.

shepherdlass, great story!

Thanks,

kat

Subject: RE: 'Bird' Parker's Sax on PBS show
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 30 Oct 04 - 12:35 AM

Is it on tape?

Sincerely,
Gargoyle