Given the musician union strike had just ended in November of 1944 + that there had been a two year pause in recording new swing and jazz music, understandably the development of bebop had not yet been captured on record before “Groovin’ High”. Listen now

Recorded on this date in 1945 with Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie’s infamous “Groovin’ High” is called the “first famous bebop recording” by jazz scholar Thomas Owens.

This US Postal Service stamp to commemorate Charlie Parker’s contribution to jazz was issued in 1995 as part of the Jazz Musician stamp series that celebrated 10 legendary jazz musicians.

Chuck Haddix wrote “Bird: The Life and Music of Charlie Parker” and on Bird’s official website, Haddix distills Charlie Parker’s importance and story for those who want to kick off their further interest in this most remarkable Black American.

#BlackHistoryMonth How do you celebrate one of the most revolutionary American musicians of the 20th Century? That would be saxophonist, bandleader and composer Charlie “Yardbird” Parker.

The audio of this 1954 conversation between Bird and fellow sax man Paul Desmond highlights Charlie Parker’s dedication to the quality of his art. The footage is from a 1950 film that producer Norman Granz made of Parker with a quintet via @wise_musician

Sonny Rollins played with Charlie Parker on a 1953 recording session for Miles Davis, on a tune titled “Compulsion”. Listen now.

In this short clip, Sonny Rollins tells the Jazz Video Guy why he feels Bird stood apart from many of his peers in the jazz world.

Saxophonist Sonny Rollins, now 95, was early in his career when Charlie Parker was making an impact on the world of jazz, and says that “Bird was definitely our inspiration.”

Listen to “Ko-Ko” and hear Max Roach’s percussive and fast paced rhythm that keeps the pace up for Bird’s breakneck solos

Charlie Parker’s “Ko-Ko” was recorded during this session for Savoy Records and it is considered a turning point in Jazz, and a foundational Be-bop recording.

Max Roach, center, with Charlie Parker, was a king of Be-bop, jazz composer and drummer - he was born on this date in 1924. In 1945, Roach was the drummer for Charlie Parker’s first recording session under his own name, along with Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie and Curly Russell.

Many of the songs performed over the course of those nights can be heard within the collection the BIRD ‘49: THE SAVOY ROYAL ROOST RECORDINGS - listen now to understand why Bird and Be-Bop were heating up in early 1949.

On this date in 1949, the Charlie Parker Quintet started a 12 night run of shows at the Savoy Royal Roost in New York City. Later that month, Bird’s hometown newspaper, The Kansas City Star proclaimed “Weird Music Called ‘Be-Bop’ Is Coming To The Front Again.”

Remembering Bebop king Dizzy Gillespie today who passed on this date in 1993. This performance of “Hot House” with Charlie Parker and Dizzy in 1952 is one of only two known videos of Bird performing live.

On this date in 1948, the first of weekly broadcasts from New York City radio station WMCA-AM captured Charlie Parker + his quintet live at The Royal Roost. This performance included Miles Davis, Al Haig on piano, Max Roach on drums + Tommy Potter on bass.

Can you find Charlie Parker in this photo of Jay McShann’s Orchestra?

Listen to Bird with the Jay McShann orchestra on the dramatic and punchy track “Swingmatism” https://t.co/hhcOweihux

McShann’s orchestra was Charlie Parker’s first professional gig and where he made some of his first recordings, some of which can be found on this compilation BIRD ON THE SIDE (1941-47).

Remembering bandleader, pianist and Kansas City jazz fixture Jay McSchann who passed away this week in 2006 at the age of 90.