Charlie Parker
aka “Bird”, jazz alto saxophonist
United States • 1920-08-29 – 1955-03-12
Charles Parker Jr. (August 29, 1920 – March 12, 1955), nicknamed "Bird" or "Yardbird", was an American jazz saxophonist, bandleader, and composer. Parker was a highly influential soloist and leading figure in the development of bebop, a form of jazz characterized by fast tempos, virtuosic technique, and advanced harmonies. He was a virtuoso and introduced revolutionary rhythmic and harmonic ideas into jazz, including rapid passing chords, new variants of altered chords, and chord substitutions. Parker primarily played the alto saxophone. Parker was an icon for the hipster subculture and later the Beat Generation, personifying the jazz musician as an uncompromising artist and intellectual rather than just an entertainer.
Bio from Wikipedia
Known for
Credited on 12,886 releases.
Frequent collaborators: Various, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Bud Powell, Sonny Stitt, Art Pepper.
Around the web
Charlie Parker on Gatefold — the second screen for vinyl, CD, and cassette collectors.