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1940 |
Charlie
Parker Chronology |
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Created by Leif Bo Petersen |
Last updated: December 7, 2022. |
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Date |
Event |
References/Further
Details |
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January |
Lawrence Keyes Orchestra Reed Shepard, Horace McFerrin, Major Evans (tp);
Joseph Baird, Carl Smith, Clyde Daniels (tb); Robert Williams, Joel Vaughn
(as); Walter Leonard, Arthur Jackson (ts); Lawrence Keyes (p), dir); Lloyd
Lowe (g); LaVerne Baker (b); John Mosely (d), George Bledsoe (voc).. Charlie
Parker joins this band early in 1940. |
“Laurence Keyes Forms New Kaycee Gig Combination,” Down Beat,
February 2 , 1940, 5: The personnel are listed. C. Haddix, Bird - The Life
and Music of Charlie Parker (2013), 42-43. Parker joins early winter. |
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March 24 |
Jay McShann and His 20th
Century Orchestra 12 pieces. Probably including Buddy Anderson,
Orville Minor, Harold Bruce (tp); Joe Taswell Baird (tb); Earl Jackson (as,
voc), John Jackson (as); Bob Mabane, William Scott (ts); Jay McShann (p,
dir); Gene Ramey (b); Gus Johnson (d); Carrie Carr (voc). Lawrence Keyes Orchestra 15 pieces including Charlie Parker (as);
Lawrence Keyes (p). Roseland Ballroom, Kansas City, MO. 10 p.m.–2 a.m. Battle of Bands. Charlie Parker asks McShann to rejoin his
band. |
Ad in Kansas
City Call, March 22, 1940, 8. "Crowd Attends Dance," Kansas City Call, March 29, 1940, 15;
here quoted from C. Haddix, Bird -The
Life and Music of Charlie Parker (2013), 43, 169 note 9. “Keyes,
McShann Pull 2,200 in Sepia Battle of Music,” Billboard, April 13,
1940, 19. "Young Orchestra Leader Climbs
Fast," Plaindealer (Kansas
City, KS), March 29, 1940, 1: Lawrence Keyes played the Roseland Ballroom
last Sunday. C. Haddix, Bird
-The Life and Music of Charlie Parker (2013), 43, 169 note 10: Buddy
Anderson tells that Parker replaced Earl Jackson. Jay McShann in R. Reisner, Bird: The Legend of Charlie Parker
(1962), 147–48: Parker joins Harlan Leonard after he returns from New York.
McShann mentions that Tadd Dameron wrote for Leonard at this time and wrongly
dates this 1938. Parker asks McShann to rejoin his band telling him that he
was straight now. The conventional version tells that Parker
asked McShann to rejoin at a jam session where Parker played with Harlan
Leonard. Considering that Parker had already left Leonard in early 1939, this
seems improbable. Haddix’s version has McShann engaging Parker after a band
battle with Lawrence Keyes’ band. Considering the facts this sounds more
plausible. |
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April 1 |
Harlan Leonard's Rockets Including Tadd Dameron (arr). Kansas City, MO. The band returns to Kansas City around April
1. Tadd Dameron settles here to work for Harlan Leonard primarily as an
arranger. |
Ad in Kansas
City Star (MO), April 12, 1940, 20: Century Room: Tonight, and Saturday
only: Harlan Leonard. "Two Century Room Bands," Kansas City Star (KS), April 14, 1940,
3D: Century Room: Friday and Saturday only: Harlan Leonard P. Combs, Dameronia
-The Life and Music of Tadd Dameron (2012), 13. |
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April early |
Charlie Parker/Tadd
Dameron Tadd Dameron meets Charlie Parker for the
first time. |
Tadd Dameron in I. Gitler, Jazz Masters of the 40s (1982), 19–20: Dameron tells that Parker
was cleaning up in the club where the Leonard band played. Dameron first
found out that Parker was a musician when he heard him on alto at a jam
session. Dameron wrongly dates this 1941. |
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April 9 |
Jay McShann and His 20th
Century Orchestra Probably: Buddy Anderson, Harold Bruce,
Orville Minor (tp); Joe Taswell Baird (tb); John Jackson, Charlie Parker
(as); Bob Mabane, William Scott (ts); Jay McShann (p); Gene Ramey (b); Gus
Johnson (d); Carrie Carr, Joe Coleman (voc). Pla-Mor Ice Arena, Kansas City MO. April 9–June 18?. Walk-a-thon. Parker probably joined McShann during this
engagement. McShann may not have played here for the whole
period. |
“Vote Auditorium
Park,” Kansas City Times, April 2, 1946, 3:
“The Council unanimously granted the National Walkathon Derby company
permission to operate a walkathon at the Pla-Mor ice palace for a 12 -week
period beginning April 9. Kansas City Call, April 12, 1940, 7:
Article: Jay McShann playing Walk-a-thon in the ice arena at the Pla-Mor.
Joe Coleman featured on vocals. I have
received this information from C. Haddix. Ads in Kansas
City Star (MO), May 14–June 9, 1940: Walk-a-thon at Pla-Mor Arena; no
orchestra mentioned. “Radio Programs,” Kansas City Star, June
17, 1940, 17: Tuesday [18] WHB: 11:15 pm.: Walkathon; Lazy K. Ranchers. This
is the last radio program mention I have found. C. Haddix, Bird
-The Life and Music of Charlie Parker (2013), 44, 169 note 11: Haddix
Interview with McShann. |
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May? |
Charlie Parker Charlie Parker (as). Unknown venue, Kansas City, KS. Probably between May and November 1940. Private lacquer (acetate) recording by Clarence Davis exist. |
For
details see: http://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=400000 |
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May 3 |
Jay McShann and His 20th
Century Orchestra Harlan Leonard's Kansas
City Rockets Missouri University, Columbia, MO. May 3. Band Battle. |
“Colored Bands Break Missouri U. Tradition,” Down
Beat, May 15, 1940, 19. |
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June 24 |
Dizzy Gillespie/Charlie
Parker Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker meet for
the first time and jam at the premises of the AFM Local 627 in Kansas City. |
Ad in Kansas
City Star, June 22, 1940, 5: Cab Calloway in Fairyland on June 23. Buddy Anderson in Dizzy Gillespie and A.
Fraser, To Be or not... to Bop (1979)
117: The meeting occurred the day after Calloway’s Fairyland gig. C. Haddix, Bird
-The Life and Music of Charlie Parker (2013), 45, 169 note 13: interview
with Buddy Anderson. |
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June 26 |
Jay McShann Orchestra Fairyland, Kansas City, MO. June 26-28. |
Ad in Kansas
City Star (MO), June 26, 1940, 12: Tonight: Jay McShann and His
Orchestra. Ad in Kansas
City Star (MO), June 27, 1940, 8: Tonight: Jay McShann and His Orchestra. Ad in Kansas
City Star (MO), June 28, 1940, 19: Tonight: Jay McShann and His
Orchestra. Ad in Kansas
City Star (MO), June 29, 1940, 5: Tonight: George Olsen and His
Orchestra. |
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June 30 |
Jay McShann Orchestra Fairyland, Kansas City, MO. June 30–July 17. |
Ad in Kansas
City Star (MO), June 30, 1940, 11C: Tonight, and Tuesday. Ad in Kansas
City Star (KS), July 3, 1940, 4: July 4: Jay McShann Orchestra. Ad in Kansas
City Star (KS), July 5, 1940, 16: Tonight: Jay McShann and His Orchestra
- Joe Coleman, Carrie Carr. Ad in Kansas
City Star (KS), July 6, 1940, 7: Tonight: Jay McShann and His Orchestra -
Joe Coleman, Carrie Carr. Ad in Kansas
City Star (KS), July 7, 1940, 2D: Tonight, and Tuesday: Jay McShann and
His Orchestra. Ad in Kansas
City Star (KS), July 10, 1940, 14: Tonight: Jay McShann and His
Orchestra. Ad in Kansas
City Star (KS), July 11, 1940, 14: Tonight: Jay McShann and His
Orchestra. Ad in Kansas
City Star (KS), July 12, 1940, 10: Tonight: Jay McShann and His
Orchestra. Ad in Kansas
City Star (KS), July 13, 1940, 7: Tonight: Jay McShann and His Orchestra. Ad in Kansas
City Star (KS), July 14, 1940, 2D: Tonight: Jay McShann and His
Orchestra. Ad in Kansas
City Star (KS), July 16, 1940, 9: Tonight: Jay McShann and His Orchestra. Ad in Kansas
City Star (KS), July 17, 1940, 11: Tonight: Jay McShann and His
Orchestra. Coming July 18: Red Nichols and His Orchestra. Coming July 19:
Deacon Moore and His Band. “Scab Bandsmen Laugh Up their Sleeves in
K.C.,” Down Beat, July 15, 1940, 20: McShann’s !4 pieces outfit opened
dragging 400 dancers. |
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July 26 |
Jay McShann Orchestra Fairyland, Kansas City, MO. July 26-31. |
Ad in Kansas
City Star (KS), July 26, 1940, 10: Tonight: Jay McShann and His
Orchestra. Ad in Kansas
City Star (KS), July 27, 1940, 5: Tonight: Jay McShann and His Orchestra. Ad in Kansas
City Star (KS), July 28, 1940, 2D: Tonight: Jay McShann and His
Orchestra. Ad in Kansas
City Star (KS), July 30, 1940, 9: Tonight: Jay McShann and His Orchestra. Ad in Kansas
City Star (KS), July 31, 1940, 10: Tonight: Jay McShann and His
Orchestra. Starting August 1: George Tide and His Continental Playboys. |
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August
early |
Jay McShann Orchestra Probably: Buddy Anderson, Harold Bruce, Orville Minor (tp); Joe
Taswell Baird (tb); John Jackson, Charlie Parker (as); Bob Mabane, William
Scott (ts); Jay McShann (p); Gene Ramey (b); Gus Johnson (d); Carrie Carr,
Joe Coleman (voc). Trocadero Ballroom, Wichita, KS. Early August. August 9: Buddy Anderson, Orville Minor (tp); Bob Gould (tb); Charlie
Parker or John Jackson (as); Bob Mabane (ts); Jay McShann (p); Gene Ramey
(b); Gus Johnson (d). Private paper disc by Pete Armstrong & Fred Higginson exists. |
For
details see: http://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=400809 |
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August 13 |
Jay McShann Orchestra Fairyland, Kansas City, MO. August 13-16. |
Ad in Kansas
City Star (KS), August 13, 1940, 9: He’s Back Again: Jay McShann and His
Orchestra. Ad in Kansas
City Star (KS), August 14, 1940, 11: Jay McShann and His Orchestra. Ad in Kansas
City Star (KS), August 15, 1940, 9: Jay McShann and His Orchestra. Ad in Kansas
City Star (KS), August 16, 1940, 19: Jay McShann and His Orchestra.
August 17: Count Basie. |
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August 18 |
Jay McShann Orchestra August 18-28. Fairyland, Kansas City, MO. |
Ad in Kansas
City Star (KS), August 18, 1940, 2D: Jay McShann and His Orchestra. Ad in Kansas
City Star (KS), August 20, 1940, 11: Jay McShann and His Orchestra. Ad in Kansas
City Star (KS), August 21, 1940, 10: Jay McShann and His Orchestra. Ad in Kansas
City Star (KS), August 22, 1940, 21: Jay McShann and His Orchestra. Ad in Kansas
City Star (KS), August 23, 1940, 21: Jay McShann and His Orchestra. Ad in Kansas
City Star (KS), August 24, 1940, 5: Jay McShann and His Orchestra. Ad in Kansas
City Star (KS), August 25, 1940, 2D: Jay McShann and His Orchestra. Ad in Kansas
City Star (KS), August 27, 1940, 13: Jay McShann and His Orchestra. Ad in Kansas
City Star (KS), August 28, 1940, 15: Jay McShann and His Orchestra.
August 29: Blue Barron and His Orchestra. |
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August 30 |
Jay McShann Orchestra Fairyland, Kansas City, MO. August 30. |
Ad in Kansas
City Star (KS), August 30, 1940, 19: Tonight, final appearance of Jay
McShann and His Orchestra. |
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September 7 |
Jay McShann Orchestra Riviera Ballroom, Riverview Park, Des Moines.
IA. September 7-8. |
Ad in Des
Moines Register, September 7, 1940, 10. Ad in Des
Moines Register, September 8, 1940, sec. 9,1. |
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September early |
Jay McShann Orchestra Trocadero Club, Wichita, KS. |
“Big Hawk
Homecoming in Kaycee,” Down Beat, November 1, 1940, 19. |
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September mid |
Jay McShann Orchestra Lincoln Hall, Kansas City, MO. |
“Big Hawk
Homecoming in Kaycee,” Down Beat, November 1, 1940, 10. |
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October 30 |
Jay McShann Orchestra Buddy Anderson; Harold Bruce, Orville Minor (tp);
Joe Taswell Baird (tb); John Jackson, Charlie Parker (as); Bob Mabane,
William Scott (ts); Jay McShann (p); Gene Ramey (b); Gus Johnson (dr); Joe
Coleman (voc). Chillicothe, OH. Lions Club Benefit Dance. |
“Founder of Lions Club of World to Be here on
October 30,” Chillicothe
Constitution-Tribune (MO.), October 17, 1940, 1: Jay McShann 13-pieces
all Negro will play for the Dance. “Band
Breaks Records,” Chillicothe
Constitution-Tribune (MO.), October 22, 1940, 5. |
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November 3 |
Jay McShann Orchestra Turnpike Casino, Lincoln, NE. |
Ad in Nebraska State Journal,
November 2, 1940, 9: 13 pieces. "Band Reviews," Variety,
November 13, 1940: 12 pieces. Gives personnel. Jay McShann in R. Reisner:
Bird: The Legend of Charlie Parker (1962), 150: Jay McShann tells
that the Yardbird episode and Parker getting his Yardbird nickname took place
in Lincoln, NE, but this could also have been in March 1941. |
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November
early |
Jay McShann Orchestra Trocadero Club, Wichita, KS. Early November |
“Where the bands are Playing,” Down Beat, November 1,
1940, 22. |
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November 16 |
Jay McShann Orchestra Peony Terrace, Omaha, NE. November 16-17. |
Notice in Omaha
World Herald, November 16, 1940, 5: Current band at Peony is Jay McShann. Ad in Omaha
World Herald, November 16, 1940, 5: Saturday, Sunday Ad in Omaha
World Herald, November 17, 1940, 7-E: Tonight. |
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November
30 |
Jay McShann Band Buddy Anderson, Orville Minor (tp); Bud Gould (tb); Charlie
Parker (as); William J. Scott (ts); Jay McShann (p); Gene Ramey (b); Gus
Johnson (d). Station KFBI, Wichita, KS. Pete Armstrong, Fred Higginson, and Bud Gould (prod). Private recordings exist. |
C. Haddix, Bird -The Life and Music of Charlie Parker
(2013), 47, 170 note 17: Two documents with dates, personnel, and selections
from the two KFBI recording sessions are in the Higginson Collection. http://library.umkc.edu/spec-col-collections/higginson University of Missouri-Kansas City. Box 1, Folder 1. http://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=401130 |
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December
2 |
Jay McShann Band Buddy Anderson, Orville Minor (tp); Bud Gould (tb); Charlie
Parker (as); Bob Mabane (ts); Jay McShann (p); Gene Ramey (b); Gus Johnson
(d). Station KFBI, Wichita, KS. Pete Armstrong, Fred Higginson, and Bud Gould (prod). Private recordings exist. |
C. Haddix, Bird -The Life and Music of Charlie Parker
(2013), 47, 170 note 17: Two documents with dates, personnel, and selections
from the two KFBI recording sessions are in the Higginson Collection. http://library.umkc.edu/spec-col-collections/higginson University of Missouri-Kansas City. Box 1, Folder 1. http://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=401202 |
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December 25 |
Jay McShann Orchestra Chillicothe, OH. Junior Sorosis Club’s Christmas Night Dance. |
“Christmas Dance Night at Armory,” Chillicothe Constitution-Tribune (MO), December 11, 1940, 1. |