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.
Blues
Charlie Parker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Without a dream in my heart
Without a love of my own
Blue moon, you knew just what I was there for
You heard me saying a prayer for
Someone I really could care for
And then there suddenly appeared before me
The only one my arms will ever hold
And when I looked, the moon had turned to gold!
Blue moon!
Now I'm no longer alone
Without a dream in my heart
Without a love of my own
The song “Blue Moon” by Charlie Barnet is about the feeling of loneliness and longing for someone to love. The lyrics depict the singer standing alone under the blue moon, without any dreams or love. However, the moon understands their feelings and heard them praying for someone who they could truly love. Suddenly, their love appears before them, and as the moon turns gold, they realise that they are no longer alone.
The song speaks to the universal emotions of loneliness and wanting someone to love. The blue moon symbolises a moment of vulnerability and introspection, as the singer reflects on their lack of companionship. However, the silver lining is that the moon understands their desires and eventually rewards them with the love they longed for. The lyrics also touch on the idea that love can unexpectedly appear in one's life, and that it's important to take chances when they present themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Blue moon you saw me standing alone
The rarity of a blue moon illuminated my loneliness while I stood by myself.
Without a dream in my heart
I had no aspirations or goals to motivate me in life.
Without a love of my own
I lacked a romantic partner to share my life with and give love to.
Blue moon, you knew just what I was there for
The blue moon seemed to understand the purpose of my presence and emotions.
You heard me saying a prayer for
The blue moon eavesdropped on my silent plea for assistance.
Someone I really could care for
I was hoping to find a special someone who I could deeply care for and love.
And then there suddenly appeared before me
Out of nowhere, the one person who I will ever love unconditionally appeared in front of me.
The only one my arms will ever hold
This person is the sole individual who I will embrace and hold for the remainder of my life.
I heard somebody whisper "Please adore me"
This person whispered a request for my loving acknowledgement and devotion.
And when I looked, the moon had turned to gold!
As I gazed upon this person, the blue moon transformed into a valuable and cherished golden treasure.
Blue moon!
The blue moon, as a symbol of my loneliness and yearning, is now replaced by this newfound love.
Now I'm no longer alone
My lonely state is no more since I have found someone to share my life with.
Without a dream in my heart
I no longer lack a sense of purpose, as my dreams and aspirations for a life with this person come to fruition.
Without a love of my own
I now have a special person in my life who reciprocates my affection and satisfies my need for love.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nina Cerati
Lo mencionan en una telenovela turca llamada "el secreto de Feriha"... y creó qué encontré oro... 😀
Gabriele Falchieri
Genius !
Enrique Vasquez
charli parker es el megor saxofonista del mundo
Арут Арутюнян
Megor o mejor??