In 1938 Parker joined Jay McShann’s big band, which played for dancers across the southwest and in Chicago and New York City. The experience only made the young musician more determined, as he developed a brilliant technical foundation with marathon daily practice sessions of up to 15 hours. Jo Jones, one of the most important drummers of the swing era and a long-serving member of the Count Basie Orchestra, took a cymbal from his drum set and threw it at the saxophonist’s feet in contempt. Aged 16, whilst playing in a Kansas City jam session, he lost his place during a solo on a Rhythm changes (a tune based upon the chord sequence to George Gerswhin’s “I Got Rhythm”). In 1937 an incident took place that would become the stuff of legend. His short life was beset by well-publicised personal problems and addiction, but still he can claim to be among the most important musicians of the 20th Century and one of the greatest improvising soloists in jazz history.įrom his early days playing with big bands in Kansas, to classic studio sessions and stunning live recordings, this article will take a look at ten great albums that tell the story of the music and life of Charles “Yardbird” Parker.Įarly Bird – with Jay McShann and his OrchestraĬharlie Parker began playing the saxophone aged 11, and in the mid-1930s began to practise diligently. The alto saxophonist was a pioneer of the bebop movement that emerged in the United States in the 1940s, laying the groundwork for much of the jazz that was to follow in the subsequent decades. In this article we’re going to look at 10 of the best Charlie Parker albums and dive into the short but remarkable life of a true jazz legend.Ĭharlie Parker was born in Kansas City, Kansas, in 1920, and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. Undoubtedly one of the most famous alto saxophone players in history, Charlie Parker was a central figure on the 1940s jazz scene – as well as an influence on much of what has come since.