Session details: Café Society Downtown (June-July 1950)

Charlie Parker session details

June-July 1950 (23 items; TT = 50:22)

Café Society Downtown, New York NY

Private recording (Tape) (B-)

Show chatter

Charlie Parker (as); Kenny Dorham (tpt); Tony Scott (cl); Al Haig (p); Tommy Potter (b); Roy Haynes (d)

1	52nd Street Theme (T. Monk)	0:19
2	Introduction (Charlie Parker)	0:20
	"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to downtown Café Society. We'd like to present at this time for your listening entertainment the second edition of our show, and we'd like to open the show with a band number, one that was recorded and released not long ago on the Mercury label by yours truly with strings, we hope you enjoy, without strings, equally as much, 'Just Friends'..."
3	Just Friends (J. Klenner-S. Lewis)	3:09
4	Introduction (Charlie Parker)	0:13
	"Thank you, thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen. For our second number we decided to play (undecipherable), we hope you enjoy, also without strings, 'April in Paris'..."
5	April in Paris (V. Duke-E.Y. Harburg)	3:07
	During his solo Dorham quotes "On the Trail" (1:45-1:50); he and Parker add the "Country Gardens" tag with an extended trill (2:53-3:01). Parker thanks audience during applause
6	52nd Street Theme (T. Monk)	0:23
	Parker voiceover from 0:22
7	Introduction (Charlie Parker)	0:18
	"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to downtown Café Society. We'd like to present at this time for your listening entertainment pleasure the third and final event of our show. We'd like to open it with a band number, pardon me, with a band number that was recorded and released not long ago on the Mercury label, we hope you enjoy 'Just Friends'..."
8	Just Friends (J. Klenner-S. Lewis)	3:07
	During his solo Parker quotes "Pop Goes the Weasel" (1:33-1:35)
9	Introduction (Charlie Parker)	0:13
	"And at this time, ladies and gentlemen, we'd like to play another band number for you... It was taken from the same album, rendered by yours truly also, with strings, we hope you enjoy also, without strings, 'April in Paris'..."
10	April in Paris (V. Duke-E.Y. Harburg)	3:18
	During his solo Dorham quotes "On the Trail" (1:49-1:54); he and Parker add the "Country Gardens" tag with an extended trill (3:04-3:11). Someone adds "Charlie Parker, ladies and gentlemen" during the closing applause
11	Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered (incomplete) (R. Rodgers-L. Hart)	1:18
	Opening measures missing
12	Summertime (G. Gershwin-I. Gershwin-D. Heyward)	3:19
13	I Cover the Waterfront (E. Heyman-J.W. Green)	2:51
	Parker out
14	Gone with the Wind (H. Magidson-A. Wrubel)	1:16
15	Easy to Love (C. Porter)	4:18
16	52nd Street Theme (T. Monk)	0:07
	Played at a very fast tempo
17	Closing announcement (Charlie Parker)	0:08
	"Thank you very much ladies and gentlemen. And now let us welcome (undecipherable) to our little jam session, some of the greatest (undecipherable)..."
18	A Night in Tunisia (incomplete) (D. Gillespie-F. Paparelli)	5:14
	Opening measures missing. Parker plays only during closing theme (he's first audible at 4:53)
19	52nd Street Theme (T. Monk)	0:09
20	What's New? (J. Burke-B. Haggart)	4:04
	Parker out. Dorham and Haig are the only soloists
21	It's the Talk of the Town (M. Symes-A.J. Neiburg)	2:39
	Parker out until last 0:08. Potter and Haig are the only soloists. Parker plays only the closing note (2:34-2:42)
22	Moose the Mooche (C. Parker)	9:50
	Add Tony Scott (cl). During his solo Scott quotes "Venus de Milo" (4:29-4:34), then "Cool Blues" (4:34-4:37). Scott, Dorham, and Haynes exchanges following Scott's solo (6:50-7:45), at which point Parker cuts in with a solo
23	52nd Street Theme (T. Monk)	0:42
	Includes Scott noodling over stage chatter


1 52nd Street Theme 12" LP: Bird Box 01-22 LP 5, Klacto MG 101 CD: New Sound Planet JUTB 3004, Sound Hills SSCD 8020, Cool and Blue 108, Ember CD 509, Philology Volume 31 (W 862), Rare Live Recordings RLR 88635, Frémeaux & Associés FA 1338
2 Introduction (Charlie Parker) 12" LP: Bird Box 01-22 LP 5, Klacto MG 101 CD: New Sound Planet JUTB 3004, Sound Hills SSCD 8020, Cool and Blue 108, Ember CD 509, Philology Volume 31 (W 862), Rare Live Recordings RLR 88635, Frémeaux & Associés FA 1338
3 Just Friends 12" LP: Bird Box 01-22 LP 5, Klacto MG 101 CD: New Sound Planet JUTB 3004, Sound Hills SSCD 8020, Cool and Blue 108, Ember CD 509, Philology Volume 31 (W 862), Musica Jazz MJCD 1102, Rare Live Recordings RLR 88635, Frémeaux & Associés FA 1338
4 Introduction (Charlie Parker) 12" LP: Bird Box 01-22 LP 5, Klacto MG 101 CD: New Sound Planet JUTB 3004, Sound Hills SSCD 8020, Cool and Blue 108, Ember CD 509, Philology Volume 31 (W 862), Rare Live Recordings RLR 88635, Frémeaux & Associés FA 1338
5 April in Paris 12" LP: Bird Box 01-22 LP 5, Klacto MG 101 CD: New Sound Planet JUTB 3004, Sound Hills SSCD 8020, Cool and Blue 108, Ember CD 509, Philology Volume 31 (W 862), Musica Jazz MJCD 1102, Rare Live Recordings RLR 88635, Frémeaux & Associés FA 1338
6 52nd Street Theme 12" LP: Bird Box 01-22 LP 5 CD: New Sound Planet JUTB 3004, Sound Hills SSCD 8020, Cool and Blue 108, Ember CD 509, Philology Volume 31 (W 862), Rare Live Recordings RLR 88635, Frémeaux & Associés FA 1338
7 Introduction (Charlie Parker) 12" LP: Bird Box 01-22 LP 5 CD: New Sound Planet JUTB 3004, Sound Hills SSCD 8020, Cool and Blue 108, Ember CD 509, Philology Volume 31 (W 862), Rare Live Recordings RLR 88635, Frémeaux & Associés FA 1338
8 Just Friends 12" LP: Bird Box 01-22 LP 5 CD: New Sound Planet JUTB 3004, Sound Hills SSCD 8020, Cool and Blue 108, Ember CD 509, Philology Volume 31 (W 862), Rare Live Recordings RLR 88635, Frémeaux & Associés FA 1338
9 Introduction (Charlie Parker) 12" LP: Bird Box 01-22 LP 5 CD: New Sound Planet JUTB 3004, Sound Hills SSCD 8020, Cool and Blue 108, Ember CD 509, Philology Volume 31 (W 862), Rare Live Recordings RLR 88635, Frémeaux & Associés FA 1338
10 April in Paris 12" LP: Bird Box 01-22 LP 5 CD: New Sound Planet JUTB 3004, Sound Hills SSCD 8020, Cool and Blue 108, Ember CD 509, Philology Volume 31 (W 862), Rare Live Recordings RLR 88635, Frémeaux & Associés FA 1338
11 Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered (incomplete) 12" LP: Bird Box 01-22 LP 6, Klacto MG 101 CD: New Sound Planet JUTB 3004, Sound Hills SSCD 8020, Cool and Blue 108, Ember CD 509, Philology Volume 31 (W 862), Rare Live Recordings RLR 88635, Frémeaux & Associés FA 1338
12 Summertime 12" LP: Bird Box 01-22 LP 6, Klacto MG 101 CD: New Sound Planet JUTB 3004, Sound Hills SSCD 8020, Cool and Blue 108, Ember CD 509, Philology Volume 31 (W 862), Rare Live Recordings RLR 88635, Frémeaux & Associés FA 1338
13 I Cover the Waterfront 12" LP: Bird Box 01-22 LP 6, Klacto MG 101 CD: New Sound Planet JUTB 3004, Sound Hills SSCD 8020, Cool and Blue 108, Ember CD 509, Philology Volume 31 (W 862), Rare Live Recordings RLR 88635, Frémeaux & Associés FA 1338
14 Gone with the Wind 12" LP: Bird Box 01-22 LP 6, Klacto MG 101 CD: New Sound Planet JUTB 3004, Sound Hills SSCD 8020, Cool and Blue 108, Ember CD 509, Philology Volume 31 (W 862), Rare Live Recordings RLR 88635, Frémeaux & Associés FA 1338
15 Easy to Love 12" LP: Bird Box 01-22 LP 6, Klacto MG 101 CD: New Sound Planet JUTB 3004, Sound Hills SSCD 8020, Cool and Blue 108, Ember CD 509, Philology Volume 31 (W 862), Rare Live Recordings RLR 88635, Frémeaux & Associés FA 1338
16 52nd Street Theme 12" LP: Bird Box 01-22 LP 6, Klacto MG 101 CD: New Sound Planet JUTB 3004, Sound Hills SSCD 8020, Cool and Blue 108, Ember CD 509, Philology Volume 31 (W 862), Rare Live Recordings RLR 88635, Frémeaux & Associés FA 1338
17 Closing announcement (Charlie Parker) 12" LP: Bird Box 01-22 LP 6, Klacto MG 101 CD: New Sound Planet JUTB 3004, Sound Hills SSCD 8020, Cool and Blue 108, Ember CD 509, Philology Volume 31 (W 862), Rare Live Recordings RLR 88635, Frémeaux & Associés FA 1338
18 A Night in Tunisia (incomplete) 12" LP: Bird Box 01-22 LP 6 CD: New Sound Planet JUTB 3004, Sound Hills SSCD 8020, Ember CD 509, Philology Volume 31 (W 862), Volume 57 (W 888), Rare Live Recordings RLR 88635, Frémeaux & Associés FA 1338
19 52nd Street Theme 12" LP: Bird Box 01-22 LP 6 CD: New Sound Planet JUTB 3004, Sound Hills SSCD 8020, Ember CD 509, Philology Volume 31 (W 862), Rare Live Recordings RLR 88635, Frémeaux & Associés FA 1338
20 What's New? CD: Philology Volume 9 (W 120), Rare Live Recordings RLR 88635, Frémeaux & Associés FA 1338
21 It's the Talk of the Town CD: Philology Volume 9 (W 120), Rare Live Recordings RLR 88635, Frémeaux & Associés FA 1338
22 Moose the Mooche 12" LP: Bird Box 01-22 LP 6 CD: New Sound Planet JUTB 3005, Sound Hills SSCD 8021, Ember CD 509, Rare Live Recordings RLR 88635, Frémeaux & Associés FA 1338
23 52nd Street Theme 12" LP: Bird Box 01-22 LP 6 CD: New Sound Planet JUTB 3005, Sound Hills SSCD 8021, Ember CD 509, Rare Live Recordings RLR 88635, Frémeaux & Associés FA 1338

The Parker Quintet played a four-week engagement at Café Society Downtown from June 8-July 5 (Thursday-Wednesday). During that time they were occasionally joined by Tony Scott (cl) and Brew Moore (ts).

Parker mentions "the second edition of our show" and also "the third and final event of our show" in his introductions to "Just Friends" -- this may mean successive sets on a single night, or maybe sets on successive nights. It seems unlikely that Bill Hirsch, who made this recording, would have been allowed to set up recording equipment on more than one night, so perhaps this and the next session are all from the same night at Café Society Downtown.

Thanks to Leif Bo Petersen and James Accardi for help with this session.