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Joan Records

CHARLIE PARKER PORTRAIT Sabam – CRESCENDO Blue Classic Line - 7268

 

1	My Melancholy Baby	9	Marmaduke
2	Leap Frog	10	Perhaps
3	Merry-Go-Round	11	An Oscar For Treadwell
4	Mohawk	12	Segment
5	Relaxin’? With Lee	13	Cardboard
6	Overtime	14	Passport
7	Victory Ball	15	Star Eyes
8	Steeplechase	16	Bloomdido

 

Charlie Parker was one of the pioneers of the ‘bebop school,’ and ‘Portrait – Charlie Parker’ consists of a compilation of recordings made by the great saxophonist accompanied by a variety of musicians between 1948 and 1950. This was a time when Parker was at the zenith of his career and he had returned from the West Coast to perform again in New York. His enormous contribution to ‘modern’ jazz continues to enjoy recognition; unlike many of his contemporaries the impact of his music still engenders masses of new listeners nearly fifty years after his death. Also, his influence over succeeding generations of musicians has probably only been surpassed by that of Louis Armstrong.

‘Overtime’ and ‘Victory Ball’ were recorded by the Metronome All Stars; the rest of the tracks feature various groups led by Parker. ‘Merry-Go-Round,’ ‘Steeplechase’, ‘Marmaduke’ and ‘Perhaps’ were recorded by Charlie Parker’s All Stars and include Parker – alto saxophone, Miles Davis – trumpet, John Lewis – piano, Curley Russell – Bass and Max Roach – drums. On the remaining tracks the leader is joined by such luminaries as Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonius Monk, Kenny Durham, and Buddy Rich to name but four.

This is an excellent CD, the recording quality is first-class and it is highly recommended.

Jack Ashby

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