1942 |
Charlie
Parker Chronology |
|
|
Created
by Leif Bo Petersen |
Last updated: December 9, 2022. |
Date |
Event |
References/Further Details |
January
3 |
Jay McShann’s Decca Recording Orchestra Probably: Buddy
Anderson, Orville Minor, Bob Merrill (tp); Lawrence Anderson, Joe Taswell
Baird (tb); Charlie Parker, John Jackson (as); Freddie Culliver, Bob Mabane
(ts); Jay McShann (p); Lucky Enois (g); Gene Ramey (b); Gus Johnson (d); Bill
Nolan, Walter Brown, Al Hibbler? (voc). Tootie’s
Mayfair, Kansas City, MO. January
3–?. Dancing
9:30–3·30; 5-act Floor Show. |
Ad
in Kansas City Star, January 3,
1942, 3. Ad
in Kansas City Times, January 10,
1942, 13. |
January late |
Jay McShann and His Orchestra Buddy Anderson, Orville Minor, Bob Merrill (tp); Lawrence
Anderson, Joe Taswell Baird (tb); Charlie Parker, John Jackson (as); Freddie
Culliver, Bob Mabane (ts); Jay McShann (p); Lucky Enois (g); Gene Ramey (b);
Gus Johnson (d); Bill Nolan, Walter Brown, (voc). Jay McShann gets a 7-year contract with the Moe Gale Agency. The
deal was made with John B. Tumino, McShann's manager. |
“Gale Grabs Jay McShann for Savoy,” Down Beat,
February 1, 1942, 2: Gives a tentative opening date at Savoy, New York, NY:
February 14. It also gives the personnel of the band. Al Hibbler is not
listed here. |
January 31 |
Jay McShann and His Decca Recording Orchestra Gay Parity, Parsons, KS. January 31, 1942. 8:30 pm. |
Ad
in Parsons Sun, January 30, 1942, 4: 15 colored artists. |
February
early |
Jay McShann and His Orchestra Herman Walder Orchestra Paseo Tap Room, Kansas City, MO. early February. |
“Jive Jot’s of the week,” Plaindealer,
February 13, 1942, 4: Heard McShann’s Orchestra at Paseo Tap Room on Friday,
(February 6): Al Hibler is mentioned. |
February
8 |
Jay McShann and His Decca Recording Orchestra King Kolax Band Savoy
Ballroom, Chicago, IL. Band
Battle. |
Ad
in Chicago Defender, February 7,
1942, 9. “Jay
McShann, Recording Sensation, Battles Kolax at Savoy Sunday,” Chicago Defender, February 7, 1942,
10. |
February
13 |
Lucky Millinder Orchestra Jay McShann and His Orchestra Savoy
Ballroom, New York, NY. February
13-20. February
14 (Friday 13 after midnight): NBC
Blue Network broadcast, 12:05–12:30 a.m. Bill Abernathy (mc). Private
lacquer (acetate) recordings exist. These are usually dated February 13.
According to Gene Ramey, the band was late for the opening. This may explain
why McShann got the radio spot instead of the announced Millinder band. February
15: NBC
Blue Network broadcast, 4:00–4:30 p.m. Gene
Ramey and Jay McShann remember a Sunday matinee broadcast from Savoy, running
over time because of a long Charlie Parker Cherokee solo. Ramey says that
this was the first Sunday at the Savoy. Radio logs have Millinder announced,
but it was not unusual that two bands shared the spot. No recordings of this
broadcast seem to have survived. February
18 (Tuesday 17 after midnight): NBC
Blue Network broadcast, 12:05–12:30 a.m.: Lucky Millinder. No recordings of
this broadcast seem to have survived. February
21 (Friday 20 after midnight): NBC
Blue Network broadcast, 12:05–12:30 a.m.: Lucky Millinder. No recordings of
this broadcast seem to have survived. |
“On
the Upbeat,” Variety, January 28,
1942, 38: Gives opening date February 13. “Orchestra
Routes,” Billboard, February 7,
1942, 26: Millinder at Savoy (no dates). Fitzgerald at Savoy February 2-12. “Gale
Hooks McShann for Seven-Year Cut,” Baltimore
Afro-American, February 10, 1942, 8: Has opening on “Saturday” [14]. “Jive Jot’s of the week,” Plaindealer,
February 13, 1942, 4: Has Savoy opening February 13. Bill Nolan (voc) is in
the band. “Orchestra
Routes,” Billboard, February 14,
1942, 26: Erskine Hawkins at Savoy February 20-26. “Orchestra
Routes,” Billboard, February 21,
1942, 24, Millinder at Savoy (no dates). Fitzgerald at the Apollo February
13-19, and at Savoy February 20-28. “Band
Routes,” Pittsburgh Courier,
February 14, 1942, 20: Erskine Hawkins at Savoy week of February 21. “McShann
Leads Fine Bands,” Metronome, March 1942, 12, 22: Very overwhelming
positive review. Gene
Ramey in S. Dance, The World of Count
Basie (1980) 276-77: Has opening on Friday, February 13. He tells in detail
of the opening night but does not mention a broadcast situation here.
Instead, he tells of a Sunday afternoon broadcast on the first Sunday. Jay McShann interviewed by C. Haddix July 3, 1997, in F. Driggs
and C. Haddix, Kansas City Jazz (2005), (e-book ed.) Chapter 9 note
56: McShann talks about the battle between the two bands, which Millinder
admitted that McShann won. The bands were playing alternating sets of 30
minutes. “Radio
programs,” New York Sun, February
13, 1942, 34: WJZ: 12:05–12:30 a.m.: Lucky Millinder. http://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=420213 “Sunday’s
Radio Programs,” New York Sun,
February 14, 1942, 10: WNEW: 4:00–4:30 p.m.: Lucky Millinder. “Radio
programs,” New York Sun, February
17, 1942, 24: WNEW: 12:05–12:30 a.m.: Lucky Millinder. “Radio
programs,” New York Sun, February
20, 1942, 19: WJZ: 12:05–12:30 a.m.: Lucky Millinder. |
February–May |
Jam sessions Minton’s
Playhouse, New York, NY. Monroe’s
Uptown House, New York, NY. Charlie
Parker is reported in sessions here. Private
lacquer (acetate) recordings from Monroe’s by Jerry Newman exists. |
Allen Tinney in I. Gitler, Swing
to Bop (1985), 75. Kenny Clarke in I. Gitler, Swing
to Bop (1985), 82. http://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=420000 |
March
7 |
Jay McShann and His Orchestra Sunset
Auditorium, Indianapolis, IN. March
7-22. |
“Band
Routes,” Pittsburgh Courier, March
21, 20: March 7–22. “Local reports: Local no. 3, Indianapolis, IN,” International
Musician, March 1942, 25: June report probably March and April events: Travelling members: Jay McShann
Orchestra. |
March
27 |
Jay McShann Orchestra Mills Brothers Nina May McKinney (voc) Hawley & Lee (comedy) Edward Sisters Paradise,
Detroit, MI. March
27–April 2. |
Ad
in Detroit Free Press, March 27,
1942, 9. “Mills Bros. at Paradise This Week,” Detroit
Times, March 1942, 7: Review. “Mills
Brothers at Paradise,” Detroit Free
Press, March 30, 1942, 11. Ad
in Detroit Free Press, April 2,
1942, 10: Tomorrow Lucky Millinder and Rosetta Tharpe. |
April
4 |
Jay McShann Orchestra Buddy Anderson, Orville Minor, Bob Merrill (tp); Lawrence
Anderson, Joe Taswell Baird (tb); John Jackson (as); Freddie Culliver, Roy
(Buck) Douglas (ts); James Coe (as, bars); Jay McShann (p); Lucky Enois (g);
Gene Ramey (b); Gus Johnson (d); Walter Brown, Al Hibbler (voc). Edgar Hays Orchestra?
Savoy
Ballroom, New York, NY. April
4-16, 1942. Parker
is fired from the band during this engagement. April
5: I have not been able to identify a Savoy Ballroom broadcast this Sunday. April
8 (Tuesday 7 after midnight): NBC
Blue Network broadcast 12:05–12:30 a.m.: McShann. No
recordings of this broadcast seem to have survived. April
11 (Friday 10 after midnight): NBC
Blue Network broadcast 12:05–12:30 a.m.: Jay McShann. No
recordings of this broadcast seem to have survived. April
12: NBC
Blue Network broadcast 5:30–6:00 p.m.: Jay McShann. No
recordings of this broadcast seem to have survived. April
15: (Tuesday 14 after midnight): NBC
Blue Network broadcast 12:05–12:30 a.m.: Jay McShann. No
recordings of this broadcast seem to have survived. |
“Orchestra
Routes,” Billboard, April 4, 1942,
24: McShann at Savoy April 4-16. S.
DeVeaux, The Birth of Bebop (1997),
194: McShann played opposite Edgar Hays here. “In the Groove at the Apollo,” Baltimore Afro-American, April 25,
1942, 13: Photo of the full band at the Savoy prior to the Apollo engagement. “Draft
Takes Many K. C. Musicians,” Down Beat, April 1, 1942, 6: Roy (Buck) Douglas
has gone to New York to replace Bob Mabane who has been drafted. Gene
Ramey in S. Dance, The World of Count
Basie (1980), 277: Tells of Charlie Parker being fired here. “New
McShann Man,” Down Beat, April 15, 1942, 1: James Coe was taken up in
Indianapolis and joined the band at the Savoy opening April 5. “Sunday’s
Radio Programs,” New York Sun,
April 4, 1942, 16: WJZ: 5:30–6:00 p.m.: Musical Variety. “Radio
Programs,” New York Sun, April 7,
1942, 22: WJZ: 12:05–12:30 a.m.: Jay McShann. “Radio
Programs,” New York Sun, April 10,
1942, 41: WJZ: 12:05–12:30 a.m.: Jay McShann. “Sunday’s
Radio Programs,” New York Sun,
April 11, 1942, 14: WJZ: 5:30–6:00 p.m.: Jay McShann. “Radio
Programs,” New York Sun, April 14,
1942, 35: WJZ: 12:05–12:30 a.m.: Jay McShann. |
April
mid |
Jam sessions Monroe’s,
New York, NY. Early
April–May? Parker
is working in New York without regular payment in the interim before he gets
back to McShann, probably mostly at Minton’s. |
Gene
Ramey in S. Dance, The World of Count
Basie (1980), 277. Allen
Tinney in I. Gitler, Swing to Bop (1985), 80. |
April
17 |
Jay McShann and His Band and Singers Buddy Anderson, Orville Minor, Bob Merrill (tp); Lawrence
Anderson, Joe Taswell Baird (tb); John Jackson (as); Freddie Culliver, Roy
(Buck) Douglas (ts); James Coe (as, bars); Jay McShann (p); Lucky Enois (g);
Gene Ramey (b); Gus Johnson (d); Walter Brown, Al Hibbler (voc). 4 Kings and a Queen Conway & Parks (Dance,
song) “Pigmeat” (Comedian) Arnault Family (Violin
comedy) Willie Dee (Magician) “Wolf Man” Apollo
Theater, New York, NY. April
17-23. Charlie
Parker was out of the band here. The band’s baritone sax, Jimmy Coe played
his alto-solos. |
Ad
in New York Age, April 18, 1942,
10. “House
Reviews: Apollo,” Variety, April
22, 1942: 49: “McShann Scoring Big Hit in Eastern
Appearance,” New York Amsterdam News,
April 25, 1942, 16: Gives the personnel of the band. Charlie Parker is not
included. R. L. Campbell: The Jimmy Coe Discography. http://hubcap.clemson.edu/~campber/coe.html “At age 20 Jimmy Coe was already touring with the
Jay McShann band, which he probably joined toward the end of 1941… He even
had the unenviable task of briefly replacing Charlie Parker on alto saxophone
(when the McShann band played the Apollo in New York City, April 1942). Coe always
said later that Charlie Parker was in the audience— he fell asleep—while he
soloed on alto for the first time during a performance! Coe played alto
alongside John Jackson for a little while, but while Charlie Parker was in
the band his instrument was baritone sax.”
|
April
24 |
Jay McShann Orchestra Royal
Theatre, Baltimore, MD. April
24-30. Charlie
Parker may not yet have rejoined McShann here. |
“Jay
McShann’s Ork Back to Savoy,” Down Beat, April 1, 1942, 2. Gene
Ramey in S. Dance, The World of Count
Basie (1980), 277. |
May
1 |
Jay McShann Orchestra Howard
Theater, Washington, DC. May
1–7. Charlie
Parker may not yet have rejoined McShann here. |
“Jay
McShann’s Ork Back to Savoy,” Down Beat, April 1, 1942, 2. |
May
8 |
Jay McShann Orchestra Eltinge
Theatre, New York, NY. May
8-14. Charlie Parker may have rejoined McShann here. |
“Orchestra Routes,” Billboard, May 9, 1942,
26. |
May
15? |
Jay McShann Orchestra Erskine Hawkins Savoy
Ballroom, New York, NY. May
15?–30?. have not been able to verify McShann on
Savoy broadcasts in this period. The broadcasts I have found are all by
Erskine Hawkins. |
“Band Routes,” Pittsburgh Courier, May 16,
20: Erskine Hawkins at the Savoy, May 11-31. Jay McShann at the Savoy, May
16-22. “Orchestra Routes,” Billboard, May 30, 1942:
24: Erskine Hawkins Savoy 11-31. McShann at Savoy May 15—30. |
May
31 |
Jay McShann Orchestra Memorial
Auditorium, Dayton, OH. |
“Bands on Tour – Advance Dates,” Billboard, May 30, 1942, 24. |
June
early |
Jay McShann Orchestra Canton,
OH. This
may alternatively belong to August. |
C. Woideck, Charlie
Parker. His Music and Life (1996), 24, 247 note 91; Al Hibbler tells an
episode from here. |
June
6 |
Jay McShann Orchestra New
Allen Ballroom, Dayton, OH. |
“Orchestra
Routes,” Billboard, June 6, 1942,
24. “Band Routes,” Pittsburgh
Courier, June 6, 1942, 21. |
June
7 |
Jay McShann Orchestra Buddy Anderson, Orville Minor, Bob Merrill (tp); Lawrence
Anderson, Joe Taswell Baird (tb); Charlie Parker, John Jackson (as); Freddie
Culliver, Bob Mabane (ts); James Coe (bars, arr); Jay McShann (p); Lucky
Enois (g); Gene Ramey (b); Gus Johnson (d); Walter Brown, Al Hibbler (voc);
Shay Torrent, Skippy Hall (arr). Savoy
Ballroom, Chicago, IL. |
“Band
Routes,” Pittsburgh Courier, June
6, 1942, 21: Gives date as June 14. This
date was changed to June 7: Ad
in Chicago Defender, June 6, 1942,
24: “Dancing June 7 Jay McShann and His Orchestra direct from their smash
success in New York.” “Decca
Is Fooling the Public, Is Wail po Jazz Critic,” Down Beat, July 1,
1942, 4: review with complete personnel. Has Bob Mabane (ts). |
June
12? |
Jay McShann Orchestra Regal
Theatre, Chicago, IL. June
12–18?, 1942. Not
realized. |
“Miniatures
from the Fine Arts,” Plaindealer (Kansas
City, KS), May 29, 1942, 6: opening at the Regal June 14. “Where
the band Are Playing,” Down Beat, June 1, 1942, 22; Regal, June 12. Ad
in Chicago Defender, June 13, 1942, 11: Has Tiny Bradshaw at the Regal
June 12-18. |
June
late |
Lucky Millinder Orchestra Probably including Dizzy Gillespie (tp); Thelonious Monk (p). Erskine Hawkins Orchestra Jay McShann Orchestra Savoy Ballroom, New York, NY. June late—July early June 28: NBC Blue Network broadcast 5:30—6:00 p.m.: Jay McShann. No recordings of this broadcast seem to have survived. June 29 (Sunday 28 after midnight): NBC Blue Network broadcast 12:05—12:30 a.m.: Jay McShann. No recordings of this broadcast seem to have survived. July 5 (Sunday 4 after midnight): NBC Blue Network broadcast 12:05—12:30 a.m.: Jay McShann. No recordings of this broadcast seem to have survived. |
“Orchestra Routes,” Billboard,
June 20, 1942: 24: Millinder at Savoy June 20—30. Erskine Hawkins at Savoy
June 1—30. I. Gitler, Jazz Masters of
the 40s (1984), 71: Gillespie joins Millinder after his engagement with
Les Hite. A. Shipton, Groovin' High
(1999), 103: Exactly when Dizzy joined the band is unclear. Millinder seems
to have been on the road a lot with his new band, and reports show that in
early 1942 he played throughout the South and Midwest, with dates in
Nashville, Tampa, San Antonio, Houston, and Indianapolis. During Dizzy's time
in Les Hite's band Lucky was in Chicago, but he made his way back to New York
via Detroit, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C, ending up at the Savoy on May
30. It is most likely that Dizzy joined Millinder there. Apart from the review below and the broadcast in the radio logs,
I have found no further documentation for a McShann engagement at the Savoy
June late. “Radio,” New York Sun, June 26, 1942, 22: WJZ.
12:05—12:30 a.m.: Buddy Franklin Orchestra. “The Week’s Radio programs: Today Sunday, June 28, 1942,” New York Times, June 28, 1942, ?:
WNEW: 5:30: News-Music. “Sunday programs,” New
York Sun, June 27, 1942, 10: WNEW: 5:30–6:00 p.m.: News. “On the Air: Jay McShann,” Billboard,
July 11, 1942, 20: Review: WNEW: Sunday, June 28, 5:30—6 p.m. “Sunday programs,” New York Sun, June 27, 1942, 10: WJZ.
12:05—12:30 a.m.: Jay McShann. “Sunday’s Radio Programs,” Utica
Daily Press (NY), July 4, 1942, 4: WJZ: 12:05: Jay McShann Orchestra. |
July
2 |
Jay McShann Orchestra Buddy Anderson, Orville Minor, Bob Merrill (tp); Lawrence
Anderson, Joe Taswell Baird (tb); Charlie Parker, John Jackson (as); Freddie
Culliver, Bob Mabane (ts); Jay McShann (p); Lucky Enois (g); Gene Ramey (b);
Doc West (dr); Walter Brown, Al Hibbler (voc). Decca
Studio, New York, NY. Commercial
recordings for Decca. |
http://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=420702 |
July
3 |
Jay McShann Orchestra Nu-Elm
Ballroom, Youngstown, OH. The
band bus burns up on the road to Youngstown. The gig is cancelled. |
“Band Routes,” Pittsburgh
Courier, June 27, 1942, 21. “Jay McShann’s Bus Burns Up,” Plaindealer (Kansas City, KS), July 17, 1942, 1. The band’s one-nighters in the following weeks may also have
been cancelled. |
July
4 |
Jay McShann Orchestra Soho
Community Center, Pittsburgh, PA. Probably
cancelled. |
“Band
Routes,” Pittsburgh Courier, June
27, 1942, 21. |
July
5 |
Jay McShann Orchestra Cotton Club, Cincinnati, OH. Opening July 5, 1942. Probably cancelled. |
“Band
Routes,” Pittsburgh Courier, June
27, 1942, 21. |
July
10 |
Jay McShann Orchestra Castle Ballroom, St. Louis, MO. Probably cancelled. |
“Band
Routes,” Pittsburgh Courier, June
27, 1942, 21. “Two Kings from Tunetown,” Lincoln
Star, July 19, 1942, D6: McShann comes directly from Tune Town. |
July
11 |
Jay McShann Orchestra Recreation
Center, DeWitt, IA. Probably cancelled. |
“Band
Routes,” Pittsburgh Courier, June
27, 1942, 21. “Two Kings from Tunetown,” Lincoln
Star, July 19, 1942, D6: McShann comes directly from Tune Town. |
July
13 |
Jay McShann Orchestra Auditorium,
Moberly, MO. Probably cancelled. |
“Band
Routes,” Pittsburgh Courier, June
27, 1942, 21. |
July
mid? |
Jay McShann Orchestra Tune
Town Ballroom, St. Louis, MO. |
“Two
Kings from Tunetown [sic],” Lincoln
Star, July 19, 1942, D6: McShann comes directly from Tune Town. |
July
18 |
Jay McShann Orchestra King’s
Ballroom, Lincoln, NE. July
18–August 2, 1942. |
“Band Routes,” Pittsburgh
Courier, June 27, 1942, 21: McShann at King’s July 14-26.
“Count
Basie Precedes Jay McShann at Kings,”
Lincoln Star, July 12, 1942, D6: McShann opens July 18. Ad
in Lincoln Star, July 18, 1942, 2. Ad
in Lincoln Star, July 25, 1942, 2:
Held over for a second week. Ad
in Lincoln Star, August 2, 1942,
D6: Last night. |
August
8 |
Jay McShann Orchestra Fort
Worth, TX. |
“Band
Routes,” Pittsburgh Courier, August
1, 1942, 21. |
August
9 |
Jay McShann Orchestra City
Auditorium, Dallas, TX. |
“Band
Routes,” Pittsburgh Courier, August
1, 1942, 21. |
August
10 |
Jay McShann Orchestra Library Auditorium, San Antonio, TX 9:00 pm. Fisher-Tease (prod). |
Ad in San Antonio Register,
August 7, 1942, 7. "Southwest Texas Awaits Hibbler, McShann,
Mon.," San Antonio Register, August 7, 1942, 6. “Local reports: Local no. 22, San Antonio, TX,” International
Musician, October 1942, 21–22: October
report probably referring August and September events: Travelling members: Jay McShann,
John Jackson, B. Anderson, Orville Minor, Eugene Ramey, Joe Baird, Gus
Johnson, R Mabane, Freddy Culliver, Lawrence Anderson, (627); Robert Merrell (558); James Coe
(627). |
August
13 |
Jay McShann Orchestra Cotton
Club, Port Arthur, TX. |
“Orchestra Routes,” Billboard,
August 15, 1942, 24. |
August
14 |
Jay McShann Orchestra Temple
Roof Garden, Baton Rouge, LA. |
“Orchestra Routes,” Billboard,
August 15, 1942, 24. |
August
15 |
Jay McShann Orchestra Rhythm
Club, New Orleans, LA. |
“Orchestra Routes,” Billboard,
August 15, 1942, 24. |
August
19 |
Jay McShann Orchestra City
Auditorium, Atlanta, GA. |
Ad in Atlanta Constitutional, August 16,
1942, 9D. “Jay McShann &
Orchestra to Have ‘Cats’ A-Jumpin’,
Atlanta Daily World, August 14, 1942, 3. |
August
21 |
Jay McShann Orchestra Auditorium,
Columbus, OH. |
“Orchestra
Routes,” Billboard, August 15,
1942, 24. |
August
22 |
Jay McShann Orchestra Memorial
Auditorium, Dayton, OH. |
Orchestra
Routes,” Billboard, August 22,
1942, 23. |
August
28 |
Berry Bros. Jay McShann and His Orchestra Probably: Buddy Anderson, Orville Minor, Bob Merrill
(tp); Lawrence Anderson, Joe Taswell Baird (tb); Charlie Parker, John Jackson
(as); Freddie Culliver, Jimmy Forrest (ts); Jay McShann (p); Lucky Enois (g);
Gene Ramey (b); Doc West (dr); Walter Brown, Al Hibbler (voc). Ziggy Johnson and 10 Dancing Beauties Lee & Basquette Regal Theater, Chicago, IL. August 28—September 3, 1942. |
Ad in Chicago Tribune, August 28, 1942, 24. |
September
8 |
Jay McShann Orchestra Probably: Buddy Anderson, Orville Minor, Bob Merrill (tp);
Lawrence Anderson, Joe Taswell Baird, Clyde Bernhardt (tb); Charlie Parker,
Joe Evans (as); Freddie Culliver, Jimmy Forrest (ts); Albert McCain (bars);
Jay McShann (p); Lucky Enois (g); Gene Ramey (b); Gus Johnson (d); Walter
Brown, Al Hibbler (voc). Cootie Williams orchestra (Probably
closing September 11) Sabby Lewis Orchestra (September
12-17). Tiny Bradshaw Orchestra (September 18-30). Savoy
Ballroom, New York, NY. September
8–mid October. October
11: Blue
Network Sunday afternoon broadcast. It
has not been possible to identify such a broadcast on October 11. |
“Orchestra Notes,” Billboard,
August 15, 1942, 23: Cootie Williams opening at Savoy August 23. “Orchestra Notes,” Billboard, Saturday, September 12, 1942, 21: Sabby Lewis into
Savoy Saturday (12). “Orchestra
Routes,” Billboard, Saturday,
September 19, 1942, 24: Bradshaw at Savoy September 18-30. Clyde Bernhardt interviewed by
Phil Schaap, WKCR, has related that he rehearsed with the McShann Orchestra
at the Savoy in New York on September 7, and that he played in public there
with the band from September 8. Jimmy Forrest in R. Reisner: Bird: The Legend of
Charlie Parker (1962), 92: Forrest tells of being in the band, while it
was playing at the Savoy. Howard McGhee in R. Reisner, Bird: The
Legend of Charlie Parker (1962), 143: McGhee playing with Charlie
Barnet at the Adams Theatre, Newark, NJ., listens to a Sunday afternoon
broadcast having Parker soloing on Cherokee.
He rushes to Savoy to meet Parker. “Orchestra Routes,” Billboard, October 10, 24, 1942, 24: Barnet at Adams, Newark,
October 8-14. “Variety Bills,” Variety,
October 7, 1942, 80: Barnet opening at Adams, Newark on October 9. “Variety
Bills,” Variety, October 14, 1942,
80: Sammy Kaye opening at Adams, Newark on October 16. Apart
from October 2 (see below) it has not been possible to verify McShann at
Savoy otherwise in this period. A. McCarthy, Big Band Jazz
(1974), 152: some personnel for the last part of the year is listed with Joe
Evans as source. |
October
2 |
Jay McShann Orchestra Savoy Sultans Savoy
Ballroom, New York, NY. Autumn
Dance sponsored by the Benedict College Club of New York City. |
“Benedict College Club Sponsors
Fall Dance,” New York Age,
September 26, 1942, 5. |
October
16 |
Jay McShann Orchestra Howard
Theater, Washington, D.C. October
16-22, 1942 Hines
came to Washington to hear the band and to recruit some of McShann’s
musicians, including Charlie Parker. |
“Band
Routes,” Pittsburgh Courier, October 24, 1942, 21. “Variety
Bills,” Variety, October 14, 1942:
48. Jay
McShann in: S. Dance, The World of
Count Basie. (1980), 247. Earl
Hines cannot be verified in Washington in this period, but according to the
band itinerary, there was room for a visit there between October 15 and 23. Ad in New York Amsterdam
News, October 10, 1942, 17: Hines at the Apollo, New York, October 9-15. Ad in Detroit Free Press,
October 22, 1942, 8: Hines opening Friday (23) at Paradise, Detroit. Ad in Detroit Free Press,
October 29, 1942, 10: Last day for Hines at Paradise, Detroit. |
October
late |
Jay McShann Orchestra Unidentified
venue, Baltimore, MD. Monday
one-nighter. |
“Jay
McShann Band Plays Baltimore,” Baltimore
Afro-American, October 20, 1942, 10: Monday one-nighter in Baltimore
after the Howard gig. C.
E.B. Bernhardt and S. Harris, I Remember (1986), 271: Royal in
Baltimore for one week. |
October
late |
Jay McShann and His Orchestra Release of Decca 4387 10” 78 rpm. record. Recorded July 2, 1942. Jay McShann and His
Orchestra Decca 4387 A Lonely Boy Blues Decca 4387 B Sepian Bounce |
“The Week’s Records: Popular,” Billboard,
October 31. 1942, 25: released October 21-27. “Record Reviews: Swing,” Down Beat, November
15, 1942, 9: Not very positive, except for the alto sax contributions. |
October
30 |
Jay McShann Orchestra Including Walter Brown (voc) Walter Richardson (voc) Three Peter Sisters Buck and Bubbles Paradise Theater, Detroit, MI. October 30—November 5, 1942. During this engagement Charlie Parker had an OD and
was unable to proceed with McShann, who makes Andy Kirk give Parker a lift to
New York. |
"Buck and Bubbles on coming
Paradise Bill," Detroit Free Press, October 29, 10. Ad in Detroit Free Press, October
30, 11. “Night Clubs - Vaudeville: Paradise,
Detroit,” Billboard, November 13, 1942, 16: Review on October 30. Jay McShann in R. Reisner, Bird: The
Legend of Charlie Parke (1962), 150: dates this episode to the end of
1942. “Jumpin’ Jive,” Detroit Tribune, November 7,
1942, 13: Andy Kirk at Mirror Ballroom November 5. |
November |
Charlie Parker Having left
McShann Parker settles in New York. He is without regular jobs. November 1942. |
R. Russell: Bird Lives, (1988), 137. |
December |
Earl Hines Orchestra Monroe’s
Uptown House, New York, NY. Earl
Hines’ Orchestra is rehearsing in New York. Billy Eckstine urges Hines to
visit Monroe’s for listening to Charlie Parker jamming there. Hines hires
Parker for the second tenor-sax chair replacing Budd Johnson. |
Billy
Eckstine, “Bird Blew His Socks, “Melody Maker, august 14, 1954, 3. Earl
Hines in S. Dance, The World of Earl
Hines (1977), 89: States that it was at Minton’s that he went to listen
to Parker. Budd
Johnson in S. Dance, The World of Earl
Hines (1977), 214. |
December
25 |
Earl Hines and his Great New Orchestra Possibly: Gail Brockman,
Shorty McConnell, Little Benny Harris, Dizzy Gillespie (tp); Gus Chappell,
Bennie Green, Howard Scott (tb); Scoops Carey, Goon Gardner (as); Thomas
Crump, Charlie Parker (ts); John Williams (bar); Earl Hines (p); Connie
Wainwright (g); Jesse Simpkins (b); Shadow Wilson (d); Julia Gardner (accordion,
voc); Sarah Vaughan (voc, p); Julia Gardner (accordion, voc); Madeline Green,
Billy Eckstine (voc). Savoy Sultans Golden
Gate Ballroom, New York, NY. Xmas
Day and Nite. |
Ad
in New York Amsterdam News,
December 19, 1942, 15. |