The Charlie Parker companion : six decades of commentary / edited by Carl Woideck.

Other author Woideck, Carl, editor.
Format Book
Publication InfoNew York : Schirmer Books, ©1998.
Descriptionxii, 294 pages ; 24 cm
Subjects
Parker, Charlie, 1920-1955.
Jazz--History and criticism.

Contents Part one, Chasin' the Bird: Parker's career and influence. Bird lives! (1970) / Gary Giddins -- Charlie Parker: the burden of innovation (1970) / Martin Williams -- Charlie Parker and the alto saxophonists (1996) / Ira Gitler -- Part two, Now's the time: Charlie Parker in the jazz press. Yardbird flies home (1947) / Leonard Feather -- A Bird's-ear-view of music (1948) / Leonard Feather -- No bop roots in jazz: Parker (1949) / Michael Levin and John S. Wilson -- Counterpoint (1953) / Nat Hentoff -- Parker finally finds peace (1955) -- A fist at the world (1965) / Leonard Feather -- Part three, Parker's mood(s): interviews with Charlie Parker. Interview: Charlie Parker, Marshall Stearns, John Maher, and Chan Parker (1950) -- Interview: Charlie Parker and John T. Fitch (radio name: John McLellan) -- Interview: Charlie Parker, Paul Desmond, and John T. Fitch (John McLellan) / transcribed by Carl Woideck -- Part four, Yardbird suite: remembering Charlie Parker. My memories of Bird Parker (1955) / Gene Ramey -- Jay McShann: interview (excerpt) / Bart Becker -- Jazz oral history project: Buster Smith / Chris Goddard -- Jazz oral history project: Howard McGhee (excerpt) / Ira Gitler -- The years with Yard (1961) / Dizzy Gillespie (with Gene Lees) -- Part five, Back home blues: the Kerouac connection. Three choruses from Mexico City blues / Jack Kerouac -- Bebop and nothingness (1996) / Francis Davis -- Part six, Scrapple from the Apple: nightclub and concert reviews. Dizzy dazzles for an hour: rest of concert drags (1945) -- Charlie Parker (1950) / Barry Ulanov -- Parker at Birdland (1953) / George T. Simon.
Contents Part seven, Making wax: Parker on disc: Surveys of Parker's recording career. Charlie Parker's apprenticeship recordings, 1940-43 (1997) / Carl Woideck -- A rare Bird (1997) / Max Harrison -- The Verve sessions (1988) / Phil Schaap -- Reviews: Parker under others' leadership. Dizzy Gillespie (1945) -- Tiny Grimes-Charlie Parker (1945) / Barry Ulanov and Leonard Feather -- Reviews: Parker's early sessions as a leader. Charlie Parker's Ree Boppers (1946) -- Charlie Parker's Ri Bop Boys (1946) / Barry Ulanov, George T. Simon, and Leonard Feather -- Charlie Parker (1946) / George T. Simon and Leonard Feather -- Reviews: the classic quintet. Charlie Parker (1946) / Barry Ulanov, Barbara Hodgkins, and Peter Dean -- Charlie Parker (1950) / Barry Ulanov, Barbara Hodgkins, and George T. Simon -- Reviews: Norman Granz recordings. Charlie Parker and strings (1950) / Barry Ulanov, Barbara Hodgkins, and George T. Simon -- Charlie Parker (1953) / Barry Ulanov -- Charlie Parker (1955) / Bill Coss -- Part eight, Ornithology. Bird land (1989) / Stanley Crouch.
Abstract Charlie Parker was a legendary alto saxophonist, combo leader, and composer. Beginning in the mid-'40s in New York City, he worked with trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie and pianist Thelonious Monk, among others, to create a new style of jazz that would become known as bebop. His dazzling technique, lightning speed, innovative solos, and sharp tone were all emulated by younger players. His tragic death due to drug abuse led him to become a legendary figure in the jazz world--another young, creative player cut down in his prime. This book gathers all of the interviews ever given by Parker during his lifetime, plus early reviews, memoirs, and articles that give an overview of one of the most important lives and careers in jazz.
Local noteLittle-309668--305131013889%
Bibliography noteDiscography: pages 269-271.
Bibliography noteIncludes bibliographical references (pages 273-274) and index.
LCCN 97041859
ISBN0028647149 (alk. paper)