Charles Christopher "Bird" Parker, Jr (29th August 1920 – 12th March 1955) … Read Full Bio ↴Charles Christopher "Bird" Parker, Jr (29th August 1920 – 12th March 1955) was a U.S. bebop saxophonist and composer. Early in his career Parker was dubbed Yardbird; this was later shortened to "Bird" (or sometimes "Yard") and remained Parker's nickname for the rest of his life, and inspiration for the titles of his works such as "Ornithology and Yardbird suite".
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.
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.
Bird of Paradise
Charlie Parker Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Bird of Paradise' by these artists:
Berlin-Bahia In Honolulu, far away A maiden who could not be gay Is…
Brice Davoli Drip, drop, flows the spring waterfall Clear as a mirror, fr…
Brice Davoli Valerie Deniz Drip drop flows the spring waterfall. Clear as a mirror, fre…
Daniel Koestner You′re my bird of You're my bird of paradise Make me feel…
Djavan You appear on the horizon, far away My desire to be…
Ford Frazey Oh, bird of paradise Oh, bird of paradise White, your plumes…
Franks Michael You appear on the horizon far away My desire to be…
Frazey Ford Oh, bird of paradise Oh, bird of paradise With your plumes…
Michael Franks You appear on the horizon far away My desire to be…
Sally Oldfield Stronger and stronger shines the light, The chains are bro…
Serj Tankian Just a kiss from your lips and I'm..gone Just a smile…
Snowy White Saw you flying by Flash of Turquoise Blue I just had to…
Snowy White & The White Flames Saw you flying by Flash of Turquoise Blue I just had to…
Snowy White And Friends Saw you flying by Flash of Turquoise Blue I just had to…
Sydney Devine One fine day as I was walking down the street Spied…
TROY KINGI We shall not fear when our bird sings From the garden…
Valerie Deniz Drip, drop, flows the spring waterfall Clear as a mirror, fr…
Valérie Deniz feat. Brice Davoli Drip drop flows the spring waterfall. Clear as a mirror, fre…
various artists Saw you flying by Flash of Turquoise Blue I just had to…
Zenglen Zenglen cheri Ton sourire dit moi tout Yon ti kafe li fè…
アン・ルイス なにもやることが無いから マニキュア落とし なにもやることが無いから さめざめ泣いたわ 窓から眺める景色は 天界のようで…
譚詠麟 收录于大碟：FANTASY (1987)半梦半醒之间(1988) 其它版本：旧信纸 (粤语) Oh so blue I …
We have lyrics for these tracks by Charlie Parker:
11. I've Got You Under My Skin I've got you under my skin. I've got you deep in…
52nd St. Theme Star eyes, That to me is what your eyes are, Soft as…
52nd Street Them Star eyes, That to me is what your eyes are, Soft as…
52nd Street Theme It's Charlie Puth bitch Uh Let me tell ya about 6 youngs…
A Night in Tunisia (2000 Remastered Version) Charlie Parker - Alto Saxophone Miles Davis - Trumpet Lucky …
After You Now won't you listen honey, while I say, How could…
After You've Gone - Live (1946/Philharmonic Auditorium, Los Angeles) Now won't you listen honey, while I say, How could you…
All Of Me You changed me and the way I felt about men I…
All The Things You Are You are the promised kiss of springtime That makes the lone…
Almost Like Being In Love What a day this has been! What a rare mood I'm…
Au Privave David Hasselhoff Miscellaneous Au Ciel, Une Etoile ... Comm′…
Autumn In New York You know the feeling of something half remembered Of someth…
Back Home Blues Everyone knows him as Old Folks Like the seasons, he'll com…
Bebop We at the Downtown Cabinay, right across the street from…
Begin the Beguine When they begin the beguine It brings back the sound of…
Billie's Bounce duh duh duh duh duh duh duh duh duh duh duh duh…
Bloomdido Flaming Lips Miscellaneous Charlie Manson Blues The seance h…
Blues Blue moon you saw me standing alone Without a dream in…
Blues - Fast (Remastered) Blues The Ink Spots This is a rather obscure song. Can't de…
Body & Soul My heart is sad and lonely For you I sigh, for…
Charlie Somewhere there's music How faint the tune Somewhere there…
Cherokee Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't…
Cole Porter / I've Got You Under My Skin I've got you under my skin. I've got you deep in…
Cool Blues 널 처음 만났던 그때를 기억해 난 한눈에 알수있었지 내 마음이…
Coquette Hear me, why you keep fooling Little coquette, making fun o…
Dancing In The Night In the still of the night As I gaze out of…
Dewey Square Hh the best customer service red lpossible Participating in …
Dexterity Pt. 2 Listen to my tale of woe, It's terribly sad but…
Don Ever since the lucky night I found you I've hung around…
East of the Sun East of the sun and west of the moon We'll build…
Easy to Love I know too well that I'm just wasting precious time In…
Easy To Love ) I know too well that I'm just wasting precious time In…
Embraceable You Embrace me, my sweet embraceable you! Embrace me, you irrepl…
Everything Happens to Me Black cats creep across my path Until I'm almost mad I must…
Fifty-Second Street Theme Star eyes, That to me is what your eyes are, Soft as…
Fine & Dandy Please forgive this platitude But I like your attitude You a…
Flyin We're sitting out here on the runway Waiting for the plane…
Get A Kick Out Of You I get no kick from champagne, Mere alcohol, Doesn't thrill…
Get Happy Pack up your troubles and just get happy Ya better…
Home Cookin' II Everyone knows him as Old Folks Like the seasons, he'll com…
Hot House / What Is This Thing Called Love I was a hum-drum person Leading a life apart When love flew…
How Deep is the Ocean How much do I love you? I'll tell you no lie How…
How High The Moon Somewhere there's music How faint the tune Somewhere there's…
I Can I can't pretend I'm sorry we're apart I can't pretend I just…
I Can't Believe That You're in Love Yesterday you came my way, And when you smiled at me, In…
I Can't Get Started I've been around the world in a plane Settled revolutions in…
I Can't Get Started - Live (1946/Philharmonic Auditorium, Los Angeles) Rolling Stones Out Of Our Heads (I Can't Get No) Satisfactio…
I Can’t Get Started I've been around the world in a plane Settled revolutions in…
I Cover The Waterfront I cover the waterfront, I'm watching the sea,, Will the one …
I Didn Once I was young Yesterday, perhaps Danced with Jim and Pa…
I Didn't Know What Time It Was I've been around the world in a plane Settled revolutions i…
I Get A Kick Out Of You I get no kick from champagne, Mere alcohol, Doesn't thrill…
I Got Rhythm I got rhythm....I got music....I got my gal Who can ask…
I May be Wrong I may be wrong but I think you're wonderful I may…
I Remember April This lovely day will lengthen into evening We'll sigh goodby…
I Surrender Dear Pride, sad, splendid liar, Sworn enemy of love Kept my…
I'll Remeber April This lovely day will lengthen into evening We'll sigh goodb…
I'll Remember April This lovely day will lengthen into evening We'll sigh goodby…
I'm in the Mood Foor Love I'm in the mood for love Simply because you're near me. Funn…
I've Got Rhythm I've got you under my skin. I've got you deep in…
I've Got You Under My Skin I've got you under my skin. I've got you deep in…
If I Had You I could show the world how to smile I could be…
If I Love Again I often wonder why he came to me Brought such a…
In the Still of the Night In the still of the night As I gaze out of…
I’m In The Mood For Love I'm in the mood for love Simply because you're near me. Funn…
Just Friend Just friends, lovers no more Just friends, but not like befo…
Just You Just Me Just you, just me Let's find a cozy spot To cuddle and…
Koko สหย หสบ ไข วหบกห ากน ากา ื นไจ งหบ าหน รหรา บไข…
Lady Be Good Listen to my tale of woe, It's terribly sad but…
Laura You know the feeling of something half remembered Of somethi…
Lemon Drop scatting…
Liza Liza, Liza, skies are gray But if you smile on me,…
Love for Sale I'm in the mood for love Simply because you're near me. Funn…
Lover Come Back to Me You went away I let you We broke the ties that bind I…
Loverman Loverman I don't know why but I'm feeling so sad I long…
Lullaby in Rythym 1 & 2 [Instrumental]…
Lullaby of Birdland Lullaby of Birdland, that's what I Always hear when you…
May Be Wrong I may be wrong but I think you're wonderful I may…
Mean to Me You're mean to me Why must you be mean to me? Gee,…
Merry Go-Round 目と目があえば すぐに (メリー ゴー ラン! ゴー! メリー ゴー ラン!) あなたのその くじさに (メリー ゴー …
Moose the Mooche Charlie Parker - Alto Sax Miles Davis - Trumpet Lucky Thomps…
Moose The Mooche Into 52nd Street Theme I know too well that I'm just wasting precious time In…
My Heart Belongs to Daddy While tearing off a game of golf I may make a…
My Melancholy Baby ... Volver a verte la cara ciudad despintada, no tengo opció…
My Old Flame My old flame, I can't even think of his name…
Night in Tunesia In the still of the night As I gaze out of…
No Noise Parts 1 & 2 [Instrumental]…
Now Why don't you come over 'bout a quarter to nine Bring…
Oh Lady Be Good Listen to my tale of woe, It's terribly sad but…
Old Folks Everyone knows him as Old Folks Like the seasons, he'll com…
Ornithology A Somewhere there's music How faint the tune Somewhere there…
Ornithology Pt. 2 Listen to my tale of woe, It's terribly sad but…
Out of Nowhere [INSTRUMENTAL]…
Parker's Mood Se te olvido, todo el cariño que conmigo compartías Se te…
Perdido Perdido, I look for my heart It`s perdido I lost it way d…
Red Cross สหย หสบ ไข วหบกห ากน ากา ื นไจ งหบ าหน รหรา บไข…
Romance Without Finance Romance without finance is a nuisance (but definitely) Baby,…
Round Midnight I gotta have you now, it's not an option You're taking…
Salt Peanuts These lil', lil' fuckin' Martians You gotta love em' though…
Song is You I hear music when I look at you, A beautiful theme…
St. Louis Mood I hate to see that evening sun go down I hate…
Star Eye Star eyes, That to me is what your eyes are, Soft as…
Star Eyes Star eyes, That to me is what your eyes are, Soft as…
Star Eyes / 52nd Street Theme Star eyes, That to me is what your eyes are, Soft as…
Summertime It's summertime and the living is easy Fish are jumping and…
Take Five I get no kick from champagne, Mere alcohol, Doesn't thrill…
Tea for Two Picture you upon my knee Just tea for two And two for…
Temptation You came, I was alone I should have known you were…
The Hymn Pt. 1 Listen to my tale of woe, It's terribly sad but…
The Nearness of You Its not the pale moon that excites me That thrills and…
The Song Is You I hear music when I look at you, A beautiful theme…
Theme Star eyes, That to me is what your eyes are, Soft as…
There I'd like to get away, Junior Somewhere alone with you It cou…
These Foolish Things Oh! Will you never let me be? Oh! Will you never…
These Foolish Things Remind Me of You Oh! Will you never let me be? Oh! Will you never…
This Is Always This isn't sometimes, this is always. This isn't maybe, this…
This Time The Dream Somewhere, someday Well be close together, wait and see Oh…
Tiger Rag Where's that tiger! Where's that tiger! Where's that tiger! …
Warming Up a Riff สหย หสบ ไข วหบกห ากน ากา ื นไจ งหบ าหน รหรา บไข…
What Is Thing Called Love I was a hum-drum person Leading a life apart When love flew…
What Is This Thing Called Love? ) I was a hum-drum person Leading a life apart When love fle…
What Price Love I was a hum-drum person Leading a life apart When love flew…
When I Grow Too Old To Dream We have been gay, going our way Life has been beautiful,…
Why Do I Love You Why do I love you I love you not only…
Yardbird Pt. 1 Listen to my tale of woe, It's terribly sad but…
Yardbird Suite Charlie Parker - Alto Saxophone Miles Davis - Trumpet Lucky …
You Embrace me, my sweet embraceable you! Embrace me, you irrepl…
You Go to My Head You go to my head And you linger like a haunting…
You're All I Need I used to dream of gold and glory Just like a…
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goodchessactor
Strange thing about Bird, in his solos he moves so far away that you think he won't make it back for the next chord change. I'm on the edge of my seat saying, "he won't make it, he won't make it!" But invariably he does and I breathe a sigh of relief. Bird lives!
Roy Davis
I am 74 and listened to JAZZ just about all of my life. While it is always good to study the technical aspects of a Musician's music however, there is a spiritual message/statement that is more important. For example, the first time I heard Oliver Nelson's "Stolen Moments" it took me to another level. I said to my self, " what a profound statement". Moreover, when I use to frequent many of the Jazz clubs in NYC, one thing that impress me and that was I never saw a fight or any sought of violence of any kind. Why? because you are experiencing something greater than your self.
Roy Davis
I think you have created your own anxiety. What you should be listening to is how bird developed such masterly skill set on the alto. Sit back and relax.
Maick95
Don't even think about listening to Eric Dolphy then lmaoo
The other Tony Dutch
@Roy Davis Don't think goodchessactor meant that they weren't enjoying the music.
Marla Mitchnick
@Roy Davis Why instruct other people on how to enjoy their favorite tunes? Silly! You can enjoy with head, heart, soul - all of it!
Lorenzo de' Medici
2:24 the most underrated thing about Bird is how he played/improvised counterpoint. Check it. On any record if he's playing underneath someone leading the melody, he plays the most astounding, balanced, and complimentary phrases.
Alexandre Silvério
Pure Poetry...Bird's solo on this tune is just one of the best things already done in the universe...
Abraham Palmer
Indeed
Lisa Spears
You can hear a little of Charlie in all eras and all genres of our music. Phrasing and timing is impeccable. Greatest.