Parker is commonly considered the greatest bebop jazz musician. In terms of influence and impact, his contribution to jazz was so great that Charles Mingus commented that if Bird were alive today, he would think he was living in a hall of mirrors. Bird's talent is compared almost without argument to such legendary musicians as Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington, and his reputation and legend as one of the best saxophonists is such that some critics say he was unsurpassed.
A founding figure of bebop, Parker's innovative approach to melody, rhythm and harmony have exerted an incalculable influence on jazz.. Several of Parker's songs have become standards of the repertoire, and innumerable musicians have studied Parker's music and absorbed elements of his style.
Parker became an icon for the Beat generation, and was a pivotal figure in the evolving conception of the jazz musician as an uncompromising artist and intellectual, rather than just a popular entertainer. At various times, Parker fused jazz with other musical styles, from classical (seeking to study with Edgard Varese and Stefan Wolpe) to Latin music (recordings with Machito), blazing paths followed later by others.
Parker was known for often showing up to performances without an instrument and borrowing someone else's at the last moment. At more than one venue he played on a plastic Grafton saxophone; later, saxophonist Ornette Coleman used this brand of plastic sax in his early career. On one particular occasion before a concert in Toronto, Canada, he had sold his saxophone to buy drugs, and at the last minute, he, Dizzy Gillespie and other members of Charlie's entourage went running around Toronto trying to find a saxophone. After scouring all the downtown pawnshops open at the time, they were only able to find a Grafton, which Parker proceeded to use at the concert that night. This concert is documented on the album Jazz at Massey Hall. The album is considered one of the greatest live recordings in Jazz history.
Parker's battles with alcoholism and heroin addiction ranged from his teenage years until his death from pneumonia and a bleeding ulcer at thirty-four. The toll that the drug had taken on his relatively young body was quite profound - a doctor examining Parker's body estimated him to be around sixty years old.
During his lifetime, tribute was paid to Parker when a new nightclub in New York was named Birdland in his honour in 1949.Three years later, George Shearing wrote "Lullaby of Birdland", which was named for both Parker and the nightclub.
Other phenomena also occurred in the United States after the death of Parker, particularly the use of the term "Bird lives" in graffiti throughout New York hours after his death, and later as the title of a contemporary art piece of the same name, created by sculptor Robert Graham in 1999. Despite its widespread use, Ted Joans is usually credited with its inception.
Autumn In New York
Charlie Parker Lyrics
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Of something that never happened, yet you recall it well
You know the feeling of recognizing someone
That you've never met as far as you could tell, well
Laura is the face in the misty light
Footsteps that you hear down the hall
The laugh that floats on a summer night
And you see Laura on the train that is passing through
Those eyes, how familiar they seem
She gave your very first kiss to you
That was Laura but she's only a dream
In Charlie Parker with Strings' song "Laura," the lyrics describe the feeling of nostalgia and longing for something that never truly existed. The lyrics speak to a form of deja vu or a sense of familiarity with someone, even if the individual has never met them before. The song focuses on the main character's encounter with a woman named Laura who, despite being only a dream, has made a significant impact on his life. The song's main theme is the singer's longing for something that they may never truly have, but they continue to recall and search for it anyway.
The lyrics speak to a universal human emotion of longing for something that may not exist, and the use of Laura as a character serves to make it a relatable theme for the listener. The song plays with the concept of memory and nostalgia, as the singer recalls the familiar feeling of Laura's presence and influence on their life. The use of metaphors like "the face in the misty light" and "the footsteps down the hall" only add to the dreamlike quality of the song.
Interestingly, the song "Laura" was not originally a jazz tune. The song was written by composer David Raksin for the 1944 film of the same name, where it was sung by none other than Frank Sinatra. The song has become a jazz standard since then, with versions by artists like Charlie Parker and Bill Evans. The song is often featured in movies and television shows, including The Godfather Part III and the HBO series, Boardwalk Empire. The song's timeless appeal and universal theme have led to its lasting popularity and cultural significance.
Line by Line Meaning
You know the feeling of something half remembered
Experiencing a sensation that's faintly in your memory,
Of something that never happened, yet you recall it well
Having a memory of events that never occurred, but you remember it vividly.
You know the feeling of recognizing someone
The familiarity experienced when you identify a person.
That you've never met as far as you could tell, well
When you realize you've seen someone, but you've never met them previously.
Laura is the face in the misty light
Laura is represented as a face in unclear lighting.
Footsteps that you hear down the hall
Hearing footsteps from some distance.
The laugh that floats on a summer night
The sound of laughter on a summer evening that carries afloat.
That you can never quite recall
Being unable to fully recollect the laughter or voice that you heard.
And you see Laura on the train that is passing through
When you see an image that reminds you of Laura on the train that passes by.
Those eyes, how familiar they seem
When your memory of her eyes come to you and they appear familiar.
She gave your very first kiss to you
Laura was your first kiss.
That was Laura but she's only a dream
Laura exists only in your imagination.
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHNNY MERCER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
vichy76
Could fit a 50's film noir:
It's a new year, a new beginning in a city that never sleeps, 1954. Discharged from army, last duty post, in Korea. Bought a new Chevy on my GI bill loan called a Corvette, black & chrome, 3-spd stick, drop top. Business starting slow for the new year at the private detective office, 12th floor, 33rd & Lexington. Windows stare into the dark, dimly lit streets, slow moving cars rushed to who knows, cold & and gray as a shark stare. I'm still haunted from returning from Korea that the Brooklyn Dodgers may plan to move to Los Angeles, I friggin hope not, they played only couple blocks from the office. Nothing better than weekends watching The Dodgers, called Bums, beating the tar outta Boston, couple cold brewskis, half dozen pups, makes the day.
Late evening sunset, took her out for a spin to Caldwell House,42ndst for a late nite nosh, about 5-blocks by Lexington subway. parked right out front, opening the door, the bell on top rings to let Sal know someone came in, I usually open & close it 3-times, Sal knows it's me.
Only 2 in Shaw's Diner, the other a young dame sitting at the counter, head in her hands sobbing red head, 25'ish, full figure, full length canvas London Fog slicker, low cut black pumps, hotter than a 2-dollar pistol on the 2a.m. street. She was money to someone, and definitely not happy.
Lit a lung dart, set it down in a partially filled butt tray, ordered black java & ham omelette, onions & extra swiss, rye toast, Shaw's omelettes are worth a gang fight in Brooklyn.
I was only off work about 1hr, still wearing the office garb, dark pork pie hat, gray long sleeved Henley shirt, dark gray felt trousers leather oxfords, mismatched socks, she never noticed.
Shuffled over to her as she begged the question, what's wrong honey, why's a real pretty girl like you down, so I asked the babe, she unwound like a fully automatic opening all chambers at once.......
https://youtu.be/sxz9eZ1Aons
Tete vaz
Es increíble que esta música siga sonando hasta nuestro tiempo, estos músicos son ya inmortales.
Adam Holtz
Charlie was smooth as silk on this fantastic track !!!
Samuel
As always
im annonymous
Essential listening for anyone who wants to get into Charlie Parker.
He played the standards too...and with his whole heart.
boomerang905
I try to listen to this but it's hard. My older siblings who introduced this to my sister and I are gone now. We were little girls and would wait until the guys went to work, Dad was at work and mom in the living room....and we'd sneak and listen to this, careful not to 'scratch' the 78. I'm dating myself but we were really little and in love with beautiful sounds that defines us until this day. genius. I love it. ; )
Michael Shore
boomerang, if you're still out there, that's a story as beautiful as this music. thank you for sharing!
boomerang905
@Michael Shore thanks! 😊
rick simpson
Beautiful story,
boomerang905
@rick simpson it seems like yesterday. Thank you 😊
G Jackson
🌹❣️ 🙏 hold on to the good memories and smile about them 🌹