1952

 

Charlie Parker Chronology

 

 

 

Created by Leif Bo Petersen

Last Update: March 18, 2023.

 

Date

Event

References/Further Details

 

January

Metronome All Stars

Alto Sax

1. Charlie Parker

2. Lee Konitz

3. Art Pepper

4. Johnny Hodges

5. Willie Smith

 

”The Winners,” Metronome, January 1953, 11–16.

January 4

George Shearing

Charlie Parker

Westchester County Center, White Plains, NY.

Evening.

Johnny Dumonte (prod.)

Concert and dance.

Dumont Association of Mount Vernon.

 

“Shearing to Play at County Center,” Herald Statesman (Yonkers, NY.) January 4, 1952, 10.

Ad in New York Age, December 29, 1951, 14.

January 4

Charlie Parker All Stars

Probably including: Jackie Mclean, Charlie Parker (as); Walter Bishop Jr. (p); Percy Heath (b); Art Blakey (d).

Chateau Gardens, New York, NY.

James LaRue (prod.)

K. Vail, Bird’s Diary (1996), 144: This engagement is mentioned in a letter from Parker to AFM dated January 11, 1954. Parker claims that the producer, James LaRue, had denied paying the remaining $ 350 ($500 minus $150 in advance) of his salary.

Jackie McLean has several times told a story of subbing for Parker at a gig at Chateau Gardens where Parker was late because of doubling in an upstate engagement with another group:

Jackie McLean in A.B. Spellman, Four Lives in The Bebop Business (1966), 219–21.

Jackie McLean interviewed for Ken Burns’ film: Jazz (1996). A transcription of this interview can be found here:

http://www-tc.pbs.org/jazz/about/pdfs/McLean.pdf

The Mclean episode is usually dated 1950, but as I have found no Parker gigs at Chateau Gardens in 1950 or 1951, I think it fits with this engagement also because Parker had another engagement on this date.

 

January 22

Charlie Parker with Strings

Chris Griffin, Al Porcino, Bernie Previn (tp); Will Bradley, Bill Harris (tb); Charlie Parker, Toots Mondello, Murray Williams (as); Hank Ross, Art Drelinger (ts); Stanley Webb (bars); unidentified (strings, woodwinds). Verley Mills (harp); Lou Stein (p); Art Ryerson (g); Bob Haggart (b); Don Lamond (d); Joe Lippman (cond, arr).

Reeves Sound Studios, 304 East 44th Street, New York, NY.

January 22-23.

Commercial recordings for Mercury.

 

http://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=520122

http://www.jazzdisco.org/charlie-parker/discography/

http://www.preservationsound.com/?p=7848

 

 

January 23?

Charlie Parker Septet

Benny Harris (tp); Charlie Parker (as); Walter Bishop, Jr. (p); Teddy Kotick (b); Max Roach (d); Jose Mangual (bgo); Luis Miranda (cng).

Unidentified studio, New York, NY.

Commercial recordings for Mercury.

 

http://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=520123

K. Vail, Bird's Diary (1996), 106: dates January 28.

I have doubts about these dates. I do not find it very plausible that Parker on the same day had two quite different recordings sessions. Considering the personnel, the recordings could be from 1951, maybe in June when Granz was in New York for recording business (“On the Upbeat,” Variety, June 27, 1951, 50: “Norman Granz in NYC to work on recording sessions with Charlie Parker and with Charlie Ventura.”).

 

February 24

Charlie Parker/Dizzy Gillespie

Dizzy Gillespie (tp); Charlie Parker (as); Dick Hyman (p); Sandy Block (b); Charlie Smith (d).

Betty Clooney

Dumont TV Studio, New York, NY.

Telecast: Dumont Network. In New York: WABD (Channel 5), 7:00 p.m.: Stage Entrance. Betty Clooney, Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, and Leonard Feather are guests. Earl Wilson (mc).

Parker and Gillespie are presented with Down Beat awards.

Sound recording off the air by Chan Parker (Richardson) exists.

Kinescope recording exists.

 

“Television and Radio Programs,” Brooklyn Daily Eagle, February 24, 1952, 30.

http://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=520224

K. Vail, Bird's Diary (1996), 107: Shows still photos taken from the kinescope recording.

 

March

JATP

Release of Norman Granz' Jazz at the Philharmonic vol. 14

Mercury C-625

3 10" 78 rpm. records.

10" 33 rpm. LP.

Parker only appears on I Got Rhythm.

 

Recorded April 22, 1946

Jazz at the Philharmonic

 

Mercury 11084 A

I Got Rhythm Part 1

Mercury 11084 B

I Surrender Dear Part 3

Mercury 11085 A

I Got Rhythm Part 2

Mercury 11085 B

I Surrender Dear Part 2

Mercury 11086 A

I Got Rhythm Part 3

Mercury 11086 B

I Surrender Dear Part 1

 

Mercury MG vol. 14 A

I Got Rhythm

Mercury MG vol. 14 B

I Surrender Dear

 

“Advance Record Releases: Hot Jazz,” Billboard, March 8, 1952, 38: lists the 3 78 rpm. records album.

Ad for Andrews Record Shop, Lansing State Journal, March 30, 1952, 33: lists the LP edition.

 

 

March

Charlie Parker

Release of Mercury 11087.

10" 78 rpm. record.

 

Recorded January 17, 1951

Charlie Parker & His Orchestra

Mercury 11087 A

Au Privave

Mercury 11087 B

Star Eyes

 

Mercury ad in Billboard, March 29, 1952, 31, 3: lists this record.

Record Reviews: Jazz,” Down Beat, May 7, 1952, 11: Au Privave: 2 stars (fair); Star Eyes: 3 stars. (good).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 3

Charlie Parker and His Band

Kenny Dorham (tp); Charlie Parker(as); Walter Bishop Jr. (p); Frank Skeete (b); Roy Haynes (d).

Al Vega Trio

Hi Hat, Boston, MA.

March 3-9.

Ad in Boston Daily Record, March 1, 1952, 26: Charlie Parker opening Monday.

Ad in Boston Daily Record, March 8, 1952, 32: Charlie Parker through Sunday. Mammoth concert all day Sunday.

“Strictly Ad Lib, Down Beat, April 18, 19: Parker’s recent week at Hi Hat with Dorham, Bishop, Frank Skeete, and Roy Haynes,

B. Blumenthal, Liner notes in booklet to the CD: Charlie Parker in Boston, 1952, Uptown UPCD 27.42 (1996), 25: Herb Pomery remembers the personnel from this, the second, appearance of Parker at the Hi Hat.

 

 

March 24

Concert

Billy Butterfield, Red Allen (tp); Big Chief Moore, Bill Harris (tb); Buddy DeFranco (cl); Louis Prima (tp, voc); Charlie Parker (as); Jerry Jerome (ts); Teddy Wilson, Dick Cary (p); Eddie Safranski (b); Don Lamond (d); Dottie Reed (voc).

Loew's Kings, Brooklyn, New York, NY.

8:45 p.m.

Jerry Jerome (prod).

On location recording by Jerry Jerome?

VOA Broadcast: Jazz Club U.S.A.: Leonard Feather (mc).

Tape recordings exist.

 

“Big Jazz Concert at Loew's Kings, Monday, March 24,” Brooklyn Eagle, March 20, 1952, 11.

Ad in Brooklyn Eagle, March 24, 1952, 5.

“Loew's Houses Open to Jazz,” Down Beat, April 19, 1952, 4: Has Cutty Cutshall in the line-up.

“Swing Hits New York with a Bang,” Down Beat, May 7, 1952, 18. The photo shows Big Chief Moore in the lineup and not Cutty Cutshall.

“The Lyon’s Den,” Morning Advocate, March 15, 1952, 4A: In this period Leonard Feather used live tape-recordings for his Voice of America broadcast series titled: Jam Session U.S.A [sic]. The proper title was Jazz Club U.S.A.

F. Hoffmann has uploaded the whole Voice of America edition of the concert on YouTube (hoffmannjazz): Feather's announcement tells that everything comes from the Loew's Kings concert. Big Chief Moore is heard soloing. Charlie Parker's Cool Blues track is on this broadcast edition.

See also:

http://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=520325b

http://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=520325c

According to Phil Schaap the Ornithology track comes from a tape in the possession of Jerome, who has said that it was he who did the recordings of the concert(s). It is not known whether it comes from this concert or the next day's concert.

 

March 25

Charlie Parker and His Orchestra.

Charlie Parker (as); Jimmy Maxwell, Carl Poole, Al Porcino, Bernie Previn (tp); Bill Harris, Lou McGarity, Bart Varsalona (tb); Harry Terrill, Murray Williams (as); Flip Phillips, Hank Ross (ts); Danny Bank (bars); Oscar Peterson (p); Freddie Green (g); Ray Brown (b); Don Lamond (d); Joe Lipman (arr, cond).

Reeves Sound Studios, 304 East 44th Street, New York, NY.

Commercial recordings for Mercury.

 

http://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=520325a

http://www.jazzdisco.org/charlie-parker/discography/

http://www.preservationsound.com/?p=7848

March 25

Concert

Hot Lips Page, Red Allen (tp) Bill Harris, Lou McGarity (tb); Buddy DeFranco (cl); Charlie Parker (as); Jerry Jerome (ts); Teddy Wilson, Dick Cary (p); Eddie Safranski (b); Don Lamond (d); Dottie Reed, Louis Prima (voc).

Loew's Valencia, Queens, New York, NY.

8:45 p.m.

Jerry Jerome (prod).

 

“Big Jazz Concert at Loew's Kings, Monday, March 24,” Brooklyn Eagle, March 20, 1952, 11.

Ad in Long Island Star-Journal, March 25, 1952, 12.

“Loew's Houses Open to Jazz,” Down Beat, April 19, 1952, 4: Has Hot Lips Page and Lou McGarity replacing Butterfield and Cutshall.

March late

Charlie Parker and His All Stars

Probably: Red Rodney (tp); Charlie Parker(as); Walter Bishop Jr. (p); Teddy Kotick (b); Roy Haynes (d).

Colonial Tavern, Toronto, Canada.

Late March.

 

Ad in Providence Journal, March 31, 1953, 20: tells that the band comes from Colonial Tavern in Canada.

March 31

Charlie Parker and His All Star Recording Band

Probably: Red Rodney (tp); Charlie Parker(as); Walter Bishop Jr. (p); Teddy Kotick (b); Roy Haynes (d).

Celebrity Club, Providence, RI.

March 31–April 6.

Jam session Sunday.

 

Ad in Providence Journal, March 331, 1953, 20: opening tonite for one week.

 

April

Charlie Parker

Release of Dial 207

10" 33 rpm. LP

 

Charlie Parker Sextet

Dial LP 207-A

Recorded November 4, 1947

My Old Flame

Recorded December 17, 1947

Air Conditioning (Drifting on a Reed)

Crazeology

Bird Feathers (Bongo Beep)

Dial LP 207-B:

Recorded November 4, 1947

Out of Nowhere

Recorded February 5, 1946

Bongo Beep (Diggin’ Diz)

Recorded November 4, 1947

Bird Feathers

Klactoveedsedstene

 

“Progressive Jazz Albums,” San Francisco Chronicle, April 20, 1952, This World, 17: Reviews this LP.

 

 

 

April

Release of

Mercury 11088

10” 78 rpm. record

 

Charlie Parker with Strings

Recorded January 22, 1952.

 

Mercury 11088 A

Temptation

Mercury 11088 B

Autumn in New York

 

Mercury ad in Billboard, April 19, 1952, 23: lists this record.

“Record Reviews: Jazz,” Down Beat, June 18, 1952, 11: Both sides: 2 Stars (fair). Rather negative review.

 

 

April 18

The Clovers

Charlie Parker and His All Star Combo

Kenny Dorham (tp); Charlie Parker (as); Walter Bishop Jr. (p); Teddy Kotick (b); Stan Levey (d).

Billy Ford Orchestra

Lil Green (voc)

Paul White (dance)

Bojos (dance)

Bob Ephram (tap dance)

Howard Theatre, Washington, DC.

April 18-24.

 

Ad in Washington Afro-American, April 15, 1952, 6.

 “Parker to Headline Howard,” Washington Afro-American, April 15, 1952, 7.

K. Vail, Bird's Diary (1996), 108: gives date of contract (April 4) and the personnel of the Parker group. No sources are given.

 

May 13

Charlie Parker

Accompanied by a local band. Later, supplemented by Walter Bishop Jr. and Art Taylor.

Times Square Hotel, Rochester, NY.

One week.

 

Ad in Democrat and Chronicle, May 11, 1952, 3F: Parker opening May 13.

Ad in Democrat and Chronicle, May 18, 1952, 3F: Last night.

Lon Flanagan Jr. in R. Reisner, Bird: The Legend of Charlie Parker (1975), 89.

Chan Parker (Richardson), My Life In E-Flat (1993), 36: Tells a similar story of a Rochester gig with an inefficient piano player.

K. Vail, Bird's Diary (1996), 109: dates May and gives names of the substituting musicians.

 

 

 

May 29

Charlie Parker All-Stars

Chet Baker (tp); Charlie Parker (as); Don Trenner (p); Harry Babasin (b); Lawrence Marable (d).

Harry the Hipster Trio

Tiffany Club, Los Angeles, CA.

May 29–June 14.

Booked by the Shaw Agency.

 

Ad in Los Angeles Times, May 29, 1952, 18: opening tonight: Charlie Parker band; Harry the Hipster Trio.

Ad in Los Angeles Times, June 13, 1952, 8: Last two Days: Charlie Parker band; Harry the Hipster Trio.

“Bird Flies to LA’s Tiffany, Down Beat, June 18, 1952, 12.

J. Gavin, Deep in a Dream - The Long Night of Chet Baker (2002), 52 ff.: Here more details about this engagement can be found.

 

June 16

Harry Babasin All-Stars

Chet Baker (tp); Charlie Parker (as); Sonny Criss (as); Al Haig (p); Russ Freeman (p); Harry Babasin (b); Lawrence Marable (d).

Trade Winds Club, Inglewood, CA.

Private tape recordings exist.

 

http://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=520616

 

June 17

Norman Granz Jam Session

Charlie Shavers (tp); Benny Carter, Johnny Hodges, Charlie Parker (as); Ben Webster, Flip Phillips (ts); Oscar Peterson (p); Barney Kessel (g); Ray Brown (b); J.C. Heard (d).

Radio Recorders Studio, Hollywood. CA.

Commercial recordings for Mercury.

 

http://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=520617

 

June 19

Charlie Parker

Flip Philips

Replaced by

Patsy Parker

Accompanied by

Cuz Cousineau and His Quintet

Including Cuz Vince Cattolica (cl); Kenny Beior (p); Eddie Duran (g); Unidentified (b); Cuz Cousineau (d).

Fred Skinner

Say When Club, San Francisco, CA.

June 19­–July 3.

Booked by the Shaw Agency.

There were conflicts concerning the accompanying local musicians, which made Philips quit after the first week. Charlie Parker continued and had further severe conflicts, among others because he announced a contribution for a telethon benefit from the owner, Dutch Neiman. This led to Parker’s firing.

 

“Entertainment,” San Francisco Chronicle, June 29, 1952, This World, 9: Parker and Philips open Thursday.

Ad in San Francisco Examiner, June 21, 1952, 30: Announced as Battle of the Saxes – Philips versus Parker.

Ad in San Francisco Examiner, June 28, 1952, 30: Announced as Battle of the Parkers – Charlie Parker versus Patsy Parker.

“Frisco Alive with Top Jazz Names…”, Down Beat, July 16, 1952, 13: Gives partly personnel.

“Entertainment,” San Francisco Chronicle, June 29, 1952, This World, 9: Parker closes Wednesday.

“Strictly Ad Lib,” Down Beat, August 13, 1952, 16.

Chet. Baker, As Though I Had Wings (1997), 55–57.

 

 

June/July

Jam sessions

Charlie Parker (as); Teddy Edwards (ts); Kenny Drew (p); Curly Russell (b), Art Blakey (d).

Bop City, San Francisco, LA.

Charlie Parker jams here while at the Say When Club.

“On and Off the Record,” San Francisco Chronicle, June 29, 1952, This World, 9: “Parker has been missing an occasional act in the Say When, but he hasn’t missed many at that after-hours spot he hits each morning.

Jerome Richardson in R. Reisner, Bird: The Legend of Charlie Parker (1975), 192.

“Teddy Edwards Interview” Cadence, April 1994, 11: Parker was jamming at Bop City, where Teddy Edwards was resident.

 

July

Charlie Parker

Release of Mercury 11089.

10” 78 rpm. record.

 

Recorded January 22, 1952.

Charlie Parker with Strings

Mercury 11089 A

Lover

Mercury 11089 B

Stella by Starlight

 

Mercury ad in Billboard, July 28, 1952, 45.

“Record Reviews: Rhythm & Blues: Positive review. Ratings: Lover: 79 (good); Stella by Starlight: 76 (good).

“Record Reviews: Jazz,” Down Beat, September 24, 1952, 13:. Stella by Starlight: 3 stars (good); Lover: 4 stars. (very good).

 

 

July early

Concert

Charlie Parker, Vido Musso, and others.

Cerebral Palsy Fund’s telethon benefit.

 

“Strictly Ad Lib,” Down Beat, August 13, 1952, 16.

“Teddy Edwards Interview” Cadence, April 1994, 11.

 

July 4?

Vido Musso

Blackhawk, San Francisco, LA.

Charlie Parker appears with Vido Musso on the latter’s opening night at the Blackhawk.

He is stuck in San Francisco without a job.

 

K. Vail, Bird's Diary (1996), 114–15: letters from Dutch Neiman and A. V. Forbes.

 

July 15

Jam session

Chet Baker (tp); Frank Morgan, Charlie Parker (as); Don Wilkerson (ts); Amos Trice (p); Dave Bryant (b); Lawrence Marable (d).

Jirayr Zorthian’s Ranch, Altadena, CA.

Early morning

Private party.

Private tape recordings made by a brother of sculptor Julie MacDonald exist.

http://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=520708

http://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=520714

Peter Losin dates July 8 and 14.

K. Vail, Bird's Diary (1996), 113: gives same dates and has one further session at this place on July 28. This is not true. Parker was in Kansas City on that date.

The correct date seems to be July 14 after midnight, i.e., early July 15.

The circumstances of the party and the recordings are described in detail in:

C. Walker, "Everybody Got Naked with Charlie 'Bird' Parker at the Wildest Party in L.A. History," LA Weekly, July 18, 2014.

http://www.laweekly.com/news/everybody-got-naked-with-charlie-bird-parker-at-the-wildest-party-in-la-history-4833306

 

July 17

Charlie Parker

accompanied by

Gene Carter's Orchestra

Tootie’s Mayfair, Jackson County, MO.

July 17-20.

 

Ad in Kansas City Star, July 16, 1952, 21: Opening Thursday, July 17: Charlie Parker plus Gene Carter's Band.

Ad in Kansas City Star, July 17, 1952, 21: Opening Tonight. Only Parker is mentioned.

Ad in Kansas City Star, July 20, 1952, 4D: Now Playing. Only Parker is mentioned.

“On the Upbeat,” Variety, July 23, 1952, 46: Charlie Parker crew at Tootie’s Mayfair in Jackson County.

Ad in Kansas City Star, July 25, 1952, 21: New Policy: Floor Shows “Ruwe and Louie” and Bobby Jean and the Tedford Hi-Jinx on rollers. Dancing 9– to Gene Carter's Orchestra.

C. Haddix, Bird –The Life and Music of Charlie Parker (2013), 143: Haddix states that Charlie Parker had to fly from the gig in order not to be framed by a female police agent. Haddix’s source places this story in 1953 and tells that Parker immediately had to fly from town (Tutty Clarkin: in R. Reisner, Bird: The Legend of Charlie Parker (1975), 68). This is not consistent with Parker's succeeding gig at El Capitan. However, as Parker cannot be documented in Kansas City in 1953, the episode may be from 1952, but not with such a dramatic outcome as told.

 

July 22

Charlie Parker

accompanied by

James "Rev" Beasley Combo

El Capitan, Kansas City, MO.

July 22-August 3.

4:00 p.m. matinee performances on July 25, 26, 28, and 31.

Radio KCKN: July 23; 3:30–4:30 p.m.: Session with Clarke: Parker is interviewed on this program.

“Running the Scale,” Kansas City Call, July 25, 1952, 8. Here quoted from C. Haddix, Bird —The Life and Music of Charlie Parker (2013), 143.  Haddix has informed me that the first article has a review of the opening night, which told that misunderstandings between Parker and the agent caused that Parker did not show up to the planned Monday afternoon and night shows. Instead, he opened the following night. It is also mentioned that Jay McShann was sitting in on the opening night, and that Parker appeared in a KCKN radio interview.

“´Yardbird’ Parker Held Over Second Week at the El Capitan,” Kansas City Call, July 25, 1952, ?

 “Radio Programs,” Kansas City Star, July 23, 1952, 43.

 

August

Charlie Parker

Release of Bird and Diz. Mercury MG C-512

10” LP.

 LP re- release of Mercury 11022, 11058, 11076, and 11082.

 

Bird and Diz

Mercury MG C-512 A

Recorded July 6, 1950.

Bloomdido

Melancholy Baby

Relaxing with Lee

Recorded May 1949

Passport

Mercury MG C-512 B

Recorded July 6, 1950.

Leap Frog

An Oscar for Treadwell

Recorded May 1949

Visa

 

Mercury ad, Billboard, August 16, 1952, 42: Latest single and album releases.

August 10

 

Charlie Parker

Chan and Charlie’s son, Charles Baird Parker, is born.

U.S. Public Records Index, Volume 1: Has a Baird Parker of Lansdale, PA, born September 15, 1952.

http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1788

U.S. Public Records Index, Volume 2: Has a Charles B. Parker of Lansdale, PA, born August 10, 1952.

http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1732

August 10 is the commonly accepted date.

Robert Reisner in R. Reisner, Bird: The Legend of Charlie Parker (1975), 11: Reisner meets Parker for the first time in New York on a night very close to the birth of Baird. Dates 1953.

 

August 25

Charlie Parker

Blue Note, Philadelphia, PA.

August 25–September 7.

 

“It’s Happening Here,” Philadelphia Inquirer, August 25, 1952, 17: Parker opening at Blue Note tonight.

“Rhythm & Blues Notes,” Billboard, August 30, 1952, 35.

September

Charlie Parker

Release of Charlie Plays South of the Border

Mercury C 513

4 10" 78 rpm. records.

Mercury C-513

10" 33 rpm. LP.

These recordings were also sold as singles and in a 45 rpm. records edition.

 

Charlie Parker Plays South of the Border

 

78 rpm. records

Mercury 11091 A

Recorded March 12, 1951

Tico Tico

Mercury 11091 B

Recorded January 23, 1952.

La Paloma

 

Mercury 11092 A

Recorded March 12, 1951.

Un Poquito de Tu Amor

Mercury 11092 B

Recorded January 23, 1952

Mama Inez

 

Mercury 11093 A

Recorded March 12, 1951.

My Little Suede Shoes

Mercury 11093 B

Recorded January 23, 1952

La Cucaracha

 

Recorded January 23, 1952

Mercury 11094 A

Estrellita

Mercury 11094 B

Begin the Beguine

LP

Mercury MG C-513-A

Recorded March 12, 1951.

Tico Tico

Un Poquito de Tu Amor

My Little Suede Shoes

Recorded January 23, 1952.

Estralita

Mercury MG C-513-B

Recorded January 23, 1952.

Beguine the Beguine

La Paloma

La Cucaracha

Mama Inez

 

Ad for National Records Marts, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, September 23, 1952, 26: Lists the 4 10” 78 rpm. album as well as the 10" LP as belonging to the Clef series.

“Reviews of This Week’s New Records: Hot Jazz,” Billboard, December 13, 1952, 36: Review of Mercury 11091 as a single. Rating: La Paloma: 74 (good): Tico Tico: 72 (good).  

“Reviews of This Week’s New Records: Hot Jazz,” Billboard, January 3, 1953, 24: Review of Mercury 11093 as a single. Rating: La Cucaracha: 76 (good); My Little Suede Shoes: 73. (good)  States that it is from Parker’s new album.     

“Reviews of This Week’s New Records: Hot Jazz,” Billboard, January 3, 1953, 24: Review of the single. Rating: Begin the Beguine: 77 (good); Estrellita: 72 (good).  States it is from Parker’s new album.  

“Record Reviews: Jazz,” Down Beat, February 25, 1953, 13:. Album rating: 3 stars (good). Mixed reception.

 

September 12

Charlie Parker

Excursion boat SS Peter Stuyvesant, NY.

September 12, 1952.

 

K. Vail, Bird’s Diary (1996), 114: no source is given.

September mid

Charlie Parker

Charlie Parker files charges at AFM against owner of club Say When, Dutch Neiman, for not paying for the last 3 days of his engagement. The process between Parker and Neiman continues during October.

 

K. Vail, Bird’s Diary (1996), 114—15: transcriptions of correspondence concerning the conflict are given.

September 21

Ray Abrams/Tony Scott

Charlie Parker

Charlie Parker (as); Duke Jordan (p); Charles Mingus (b); Phil Brown (d).

Terry Gibbs/Don Elliott/Phil Urso

Birdland, New York, NY.

(September 20 after midnight).

WJZ broadcast, 12:00 p.m.: Birdland Show. Bob Garrity (mc).

Recordings off the air exist.: Ray Abrams/Tony Scott; Charlie Parker; Terry Gibbs/Don Elliott/Phil Urso.

 

http://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=520920

Boris Rose's Birdland Book.

“Radio Highlights,” Brooklyn Eagle, September 21, 1952, 13.

“Goings on About Town,” New Yorker, September 20, 1952, 8: On the regular bill in this week was Terry Gibbs. Ray Abrams and Tony Scott who also appear in this broadcast may also have been on the bill in this week or for the weekend. The Parker performance was probably a sitting-in event. There are no indications that Parker had regained his Cabaret Card.

 

September 26

Charlie Parker with Strings and Quintet

Charlie Parker (as), unidentified oboe, Teddy Blume (v), 3 strings, harp, Walter Bishop Jr. (p); Mundell Lowe (g), Teddy Kotick (b), Max Roach (d).

Paul Robeson

Rockland Palace, NYC, NY. 10 p.m.–3 a.m.

September 26, 1952.

“Free Ben Davis” benefit ball.

There exist at least two independent and partly overlapping sets of tape recordings from this event. Chan Parker (Richardson) produced one of them.

 

Ad in New York Amsterdam News, September 20, 1952, 25.

Chan Parker (Richardson), My Life In E-Flat (1993), 33: Gives personnel of rhythm group and tells about the recording situation. Mentions the presence of Paul Robeson, who is not mentioned in the NYPL ad.

http://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=520926

 

October 18

Concert

Charlie Parker

Zoot Sims

Kai Winding

Don Lamond

Charlie Walp (tp); Earl Swope (tb);  Bill Shanahan (p); Charlie Byrd (g); Merton Oliver (b); Don Lamond (d); Unidentified (bgo).

Howard Theater, Washington, DC.

(October 17 after midnight).

Willis Conover (prod).

Jazz at Midnite.

Private recordings exist.

 

Ad in Washington Afro-American, October 15, 1952, 6.

http://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=521018

 

November 2

Dave Brubeck Quartet

Slim Gaillard

Milt Jackson Quintet

Charlie Parker

Acc. by Milt Jackson Quartet.

Charlie Parker (as); Milt Jackson (vib); John Lewis (p); Percy Heath (b); Kenny Clarke (d).

Birdland, New York, NY.

(November 1 after midnight):

WJZ broadcast, 12:00 p.m.: Birdland Show. Bob Garrity (mc).

Dave Brubeck; Slim Gaillard.

Recordings off the air exist:  Dave Brubeck; Slim Gaillard; Milt Jackson Quartet; Charlie Parke and Milt Jackson Quartet.

 

 

http://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=521101

Boris Rose’s Birdland Book.

“Radio Highlights,” Brooklyn Eagle, November 1, 1952, 13.

“Goings on About Town,” New Yorker, November 1, 1952, 6: On the regular bill in this week were Dave Brubeck Quartet and Slim Gaillard Trio. The Milt Jackson Quartet, which appears in this broadcast, may also have been on the bill in this week or for the weekend. The Parker performance was probably a sitting-in event. There are no indications that Parker had regained his Cabaret Card.

 

November 14

Concert

Duke Ellington and His Orchestra

Incl. Louis Bellson (d).

Billie Holiday

Charlie Parker with Strings

Charlie Parker (as); unidentified oboe; Teddy Blume and 2 unidentified (v); unidentified (viola); unidentified (harp), Walter Bishop Jr. (p); Walter Yost (b); Roy Haynes (d).

Dizzy Gillespie

Stan Getz Sextet

Ahmad Jamal Trio

Carnegie Hall, NYC.

8:15 and 11:45 p.m. (2 concerts).

Bob Garrity, mc.

Patricia Music: Morris and Pat Levy (prod).

Recordings exist.

 

Ad in New York Amsterdam News, November 11, 1952, 33.

“Ellington, Eckstine Almost Trip Each Other at Carnegie, But Not at B.O,” Variety, November 19, 1952, 45.

“Duke Scores at Carnegie,” Billboard, November 22, 1952, 44.

http://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=521114a

http://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=521114b

Phil Schaap (WKCR) has told me that NBC engineer Arthur Kauffman contacted him in 1985, telling that he recorded both concerts for NBC. It has been supposed that at least one of them was broadcast, but I have not been able to identify such a broadcast in radio logs.

Boris Rose’s Birdland Book list recordings by Gillespie/Ellington, Charlie Parker, Stan Getz, and Ahmad Jamal.

November 16

Concert

Orchestra

39 pieces including: Charlie Parker, Oscar Pettiford, Terry Gibbs, and Don Elliott.

The Dictators (dance trio)

Philadelphia Metropolitan Theatre, Philadelphia, PA.

 

”Izzy Rowe’s Notebook,” Pittsburgh Courier, October 25, 1952, 17.

 

November 21

Dinah Washington

Bill Bailey

All American Jazz Stars

Miles Davis (tp); Charlie Parker (as); Milt Jackson (vib); Beryl Booker (p); James Tillman (g); Keeter Betts (b); Jimmy Cobb (d).

The Royals (vocal)

The 2 Zephyrs (dance)

The Congeroos  (dance)

Earle Theater, Philadelphia, PA.

November 21-27.

 

Ad in Philadelphia Inquirer, November 21, 1952, 28: Opens today.

“Bill Bailey at the Earle,” Philadelphia Inquirer, November 22, 1952, 10.

Ad in Philadelphia Inquirer, November 27, 1952, 21: Last day.

 

November 21

Concert

Billie Holiday, Charlie Parker, Bill Harris, Kai Winding, Chubby Jackson, Oscar Pettiford, and Gil Turner (boxing contender doing a dance performance).

Philadelphia Metropolitan Theatre, Philadelphia, PA.

Jimmy Mundy, Herb Gordy (prod).

 

”Izzy Rowe’s Notebook,” Pittsburgh Courier, November 22, 1952, 17.

 K. Vail, Bird’s Diary (1996), 115: Has Herb Gordy produced concert at Philadelphia Metropolitan on October 21, 1952, which clearly is a wrong date.

K. Vail, Bird’s Diary (1996), 156: A letter From Gordy to AFM concerning the lacking payment to Parker, has the date November 21 for this concert.

As Parker was opening at the Earle on the same day, he must have been doubling.

 

November 27

Concert

Duke Ellington Orchestra, Stan Getz, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and others.

The Gardens, Pittsburgh, PA.

2 concerts, 8:30 and midnight.

Patricia Music: Morris and Pat Levy (prod).

These concerts were probably not realized.

 

“Duke Scores at Carnegie,” Billboard, November 22, 1952, 44.

“The Drama Desk,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, November 15, 1952, 20.

These articles mention plans for this concert. I have found no other traces of such a concert.

December 5

Concert

Charlie Parker

Milt Buckner Trio

Paul Williams

Al Hibbler

Milt Buckner (org); Bernie McKay (g); Cornelius Thomas (d).

Springfield Auditorium, Springfield, NY.

9 p.m.–1 a.m.

 

Ad in Springfield Union, December 5, 1952, 22.

December 7

Concert

Charlie Parker and His Band

Joe Loco & His Muchachos Locos

Hunt’s Point Palace, Bronx, New York, NY.

 

K. Vail, Bird’s Diary (1996), 117: Ad is shown. No source is given.

K. Vail, Bird’s Diary (1996), 144: This gig is mentioned in a letter from Parker to AFM dated January 11, 1954. Parker mistakenly dates it December 7, 1953.

December 8

Charlie Parker Quintet

Joe Gordon (tp); Charlie Parker (as); Dick Twardzik (p); Charlie Mingus (b); Roy Haynes (d).

Hi-Hat, Boston, MA.

December 8–14, 1952.

December 14:

WHMS 3:00–400 pm.  Symphony Sid (mc).

Recordings exist.

 

Ad in Boston Daily Record, December 8, 1952, 48: Tonite Thru Sunday: Charlie Parker.

December 8–14, 1952: WMBS 3–4 pm: Symphony Sid.

Symphony Sid states that it is the last day of the engagement.

Closing the broadcast the station announcer states that it is a Sunday afternoon edition of the Symphony Sid Show, brought every Sunday. The shows on the other days seem to have been DJ shows.

http://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=521214

 

December 8

Jam Session

Joe Gordon? (tp); Charlie Parker (as); unidentified? (ts); Dick Twarzdick? (p); Charlie Mingus (b); Roy Haynes? (d).

Christy’s, Framingham, MA.

In the period December 8-14.

A recording exists.

 

http://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=521208

This track was first issued on the LP, The Happy Bird, Parker Records PLP-4-S, which has material from Christy’s from an earlier period. The presence of Charlie Mingus indicates that this track comes from the present period. I have not found any nightly broadcasts from the Hi-Hat here, so it cannot be from another Hi-Hat broadcast.

.

December 10

Billie Holiday

Tony Scott? (cl); Buster Harding (p); Billie Holiday (voc); Johnny Hodges Orchestra.

Apollo Theater, New York, NY.

Unidentified broadcast. Unidentified (mc).

Recordings exist.

http://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=521200

A closing fragment of Mop Mop, on which the announcer comments on the entrance of Billie Holiday and afterwards announces Tenderly, is believed to have Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie. Listening to the track, I do not hear identifiable Parker and/or Gillespie statements.

B. Priestley, Chasin’ the Bird (2006), 185: places this track as coming from the November 14 Carnegie Hall Concert, which opens up for Parker and Gillespie’s participation.

K. Vail, Lady Day’s Diary (1996), 149: mentions Tenderly and My Man as coming from an Apollo broadcast and having Buster Harding (p) and Tony Scott (cl). There is no doubt that the Tenderly track in question is identical with the one on the ESP edition, Billie Holiday, Broadcast Performances - vol. 1 (ESP 3002), which is supposed to be from the Apollo Theater December 10, 1952. If true Parker is out of the question. He was appearing in Boston on this date.

 

December late

Stan Getz Quintet

Charlie Parker Quintet

Charlie Parker (as); unidentified accompaniment; Al Hibbler (voc).

 

“Rhythm and Blues Notes,” Billboard, November 15, 1952, 60: Shaw Artist will send out a new jazz package during the Christmas season consisting of Stan Getz Quintet, Charlie Parker Quintet, and Al Hibbler.

I have found no indications that this tour was realized.

 

December 30

Charlie Parker Quartet

Charlie Parker (as); Hank Jones (p); Teddy Kotick (b); Max Roach (d).

Unidentified recording studio, New York, NY.

Commercial recordings for Mercury.

 

http://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=521230

 

 

 

December 31

Down Beat 1952 Band Poll

Combo-Instrumental

22. Charlie Parker

Alto Sax

1: Charlie Parker

2: Art Pepper

3. Lee Konitz

4. Johnny Hodges

5. Willie Smith

 

“Kenton, shearing Win Again…” Down Beat, December 31, 1952, 1, 8, 9.