1950

 

Charlie Parker Chronology

 

 

Created by Leif Bo Petersen

Last update:  December 21,  2023.

Date

Event

References/Further Details

January

Charlie Parker

Release of Dial 1024 and Dial 1032

10” 78 rpm. records.

 

Recorded October 28, 1947.

Charlie Parker Quintet

Reissue with alternative takes

 

Dial 1024-A

Bongo Bop

Charlie Parker

Dial 1024-B

Embraceable You

 

Recorded December 17, 1947.

Charlie Parker

Dial 1032-A

Bird of Paradise

Charlie Parker Quintet

Dial 1032-A

Dexterity

 

“Advance Record Releases: Hot Jazz,” Billboard, January 14, 1950, 94.

“Diggin’ the Discs with Mix: Combo Jazz,” Down Beat, January 27, 1950, 14: Dial 1032: Both sides: 3 notes (tasty).

 

January

Metronome All Stars

1949 Poll

 

Alto sax

1. Charlie Parker

2. Lee Konitz

3. Johnny Hodges

 

“Votes and Places,” Metronome, January 1950, 24–25, 28, 30–31.

January early

A Journey Through Jazz

Charlie Parker Quintet

Red Rodney (tp); Charlie Parker (as); Al Haig (p); Tommy Potter (b); Roy Haynes (d).

Lester Young Quartet

Lester Young (ts); Dick Hyman (p); Irv Lang (b); Jo Jones (d).

Hot Lips Page & Max Kaminsky Dixieland Band

Max Kaminsky (tp), Munn Ware (tb), Sol Yaged (cl), Dick Hyman (p); Irv Lang (b); George Wettling (d).

Stan Getz Quartet

Stan Getz (ts); Dick Hyman (p); Tommy Potter (b); Roy Haynes (d).

Lennie Tristano Sextet

Lee Konitz (as); Warne Marsh (ts); Lennie Tristano (p); Billy Bauer (g); Joe Shulman (b); Jeff Morton (d).

Harry Belafonte (voc)

acc. by Dick Hyman (p).

Birdland, New York, NY.

Continued from December 15. Closing January 4.

Birdland opening show.  William B. Williams (mc)

 

“New Birds,” Daily News, January 4, 1950, 69: Opening tomorrow: Lester Young, Miles Davis, Bud Powell, and vocalist Junior Parker.

 

January 9

Charlie Parker Quintet

Red Rodney (tp); Charlie Parker (as); Al Haig (p); Tommy Potter (b); Roy Haynes (d).

421 Club, Philadelphia, PA.

January 9–29.

 

“Music as Written,” Billboard, January 21, 1950, 41: Parker takes over. No dates. Illinois Jacquet opens at 421 Club on January 30.

“Strictly Ad Lib,” Down Beat, January 13, 1950, 12: Parker in at 421 Club on January 9.

February early

Charlie Parker with Strings

Release of Charlie Parker with Strings

Mercury C-101: 3 10” 78 rpm. records album

Mercury MG-C-101: 10” LP edition

 

Recorded November 30, 1949.

Charlie Parker with Strings

 

Mercury 11036 A

Just Friends

Mercury 11036 B

Everything Happens to Me

 

Mercury 11037 A

April in Paris

Mercury 11037 B

If I Should Lose You

 

Mercury 11038 A

I Don’t Know What Time It Was

Mercury 11038 B

Summertime

 

Diggin’ the Discs with Mix: Combo Jazz,” Down Beat, February 10, 1950, 14: Rating: Just Friends, Everything Happens to Me, and If I Should Lose You: 4 notes (tops); I Didn’t

Know What Time It Was. April in Paris, and Summertime: 3 notes (tasty).

“Advance Record Releases: Hot Jazz,” Billboard, April 1, 1950, 42: 3 10" album.

“Album and LP Records Reviews,” Billboard, April 1, 1950, 44: Positive review of 3 records album. Rating: 75 (good)

“The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Retail Record Sales: Pop Albums,” Billboard, June 10, 1950, 24: Charlie Parker with Strings 3 records album: no. 9.

“Record Reviews,” Metronome August 1950, 30: Album rating: B- (fairly good). Mostly negative comments, except for Just Friends.

 

 

February 2

Charlie Parker Sextet

Red Rodney (tp); J. J. Johnson (tb); Charlie Parker (as); Al Haig (p); Tommy Potter (b); Roy Haynes (d).

Gene Ammons/Bobby Hackett

Bobby Hackett (tp); Gene Ammons (ts); Dick Hyman (p); Irv Lang (b); Jo Jones (d).

Florence Wright

Mr. Google Eyes

Birdland, New York, NY.

February 2-15.

 

February 14:

Private tape audience recordings of the Parker Sextet by Jimmy Knepper and Don Lanphere exist.

 

“Goings on About Town: Birdland,” New Yorker, February 4, 1950, 7: Opening February 2: Charlie Parker, Hackett, and Wynonie Harris.

Ad in New York Age, February 4, 1950, 7: Wynonie Harris not mentioned on the bill. Instead, it has Florence Wright and Mr. Google Eyes.

“Goings on About Town: Birdland,” New Yorker, February 11, 1950, 7: Bobby Hackett’s Quartet with Dick Hyman, Charlie Parker with J. J. Johnson. New show opening on Thursday February 16.

Claes Dahlgreen, “Nytt Från New York,” Orkester Journalen, March 1950, 11.

“Goings on About Town: Birdland,” New Yorker, February 18, 1950, 7: Opening February 16: Parker (held over), Fitzgerald, Bud Powell Trio, and Stan Getz.

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=500214

 

February 13

Benefit Memorial for Buddy Stewart

Dizzy Gillespie, J. J. Johnson, Tony Scott, Charlie Parker, Lester Young, John Coltrane, Charlie Ventura, Stan Getz, Al Cohn, Zoot Sims, Lennie Tristano, Billy Byers, Ella Fitzgerald, Harry Belafonte, and others.

Birdland, New York, NY.

 

“Talent by the Carload at Stewart Benefit.” Down Beat, March 24, 1950, 3: …”: Held at Birdland on a recent Monday night.”

Claes Dahlgreen, “Nytt Från New York,” Orkester Journalen, April 1950, 13.

“Little Old New York,” Oil City Derrick (PA.), February 17, 1950, 10: The Stewart benefit gave $1,500.

 

February 16

Charlie Parker Sextet

Red Rodney (tp); J. J. Johnson (tb); Charlie Parker (as); Al Haig (p); Tommy Potter (b); Roy Haynes (d).

Replaced by

Miles Davis and his Sextet

Miles Davis (tp); J.J. Johnson (tb); Stan Getz (ts); Tadd Dameron (p); Gene Ramey (b); Art Blakey (d).

Ella Fitzgerald (voc) acc. by

Ray Brown Trio

Hank Jones (p); Ray Brown (b); Unidentified (d).

Bud Powell Trio

Bud Powell (p): Curly Russell (b); Max Roach (d).

Stan Getz

Birdland, New York, NY.

February 16-March 2.

 

“Goings on About Town: Birdland,” New Yorker, February 18, 1950, 7: Opening February 16: Parker (held over), Fitzgerald, Bud Powell Trio, and Stan Getz.

Ad in New York Age, February 25, 1950, 23: Miles Davis Sextet, including Stan Getz, has replaced Charlie Parker Quintet.

 

February 18

Charlie Parker Quintet

Red Rodney (tp); Charlie Parker (as); Al Haig (p); Tommy Potter (b): Roy Haynes (d).

Saint Nicholas Arena, New York, NY.

Private recordings by Don Lanphere exist.

Chan Parker [Richardson] and Charlie Parker are seen together in public here.

 

K. Vail, Bird’s Diary (1996), 71: No source is given.

February 18 was a Saturday, so it may have been a matinee. If not, Parker must have ended his Birdland gig before this appearance.

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=500218b

 

 

February 21

Charlie Parker Quintet

Probably:  Red Rodney (tp); Charlie Parker (as); Al Haig (p); Tommy Potter (b): Roy Haynes (d).

Unidentified band

Fall River Casino, Fall River, RI.

February 21, 1950. 10–4 a.m.

Holiday Eve Dance.

 

Ad in Providence Journal, February 20, 1950, 7: 2 bands; featuring Charlie Parker.

 

March 11

Charlie Parker Quintet?

Waukegan, North Chicago, IL.

 

“Parker’s Mood,” Down Beat, April 21, 10: Reader’s letter commenting on this gig. Parker was late and did not play much. It sounds as if Parker’s band did not show up for the whole gig.

 

March mid/

late

Jam session

Probably Kenny Dorham (tp); Charlie Parker (as); Tony Scott (cl); unidentified (ts); Mundell Lowe (g): Dick Hyman (p); Irv Lang? (b); Irv Kluger? (d).

Café Society, New York, NY.

Probably in March before March 22.

Private tape recordings by Bill Hirsch exist.

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=500322

 http://markweber.free-jazz.net/2012/01/19/a-note-considering-charlie-parker-discography-and-my-tony-scott-story/

http://www.jazzwax.com/2010/01/interview-dick-hyman-part-1.html

http://www.JazzWax.com/2010/01/interview-dick-hyman-part-2.html

Dick Hyman has told about this jam in many interviews. He consistently states that this jam happened during a Tony Scott gig at Café Society in 1950. He mentions Irv Lang (b) and Irv Kluger (d) as the possible members of Scott’s rhythm group. Mundell Lowe was a sitter-in as well as Parker and the trumpeter. Boris Rose has stated that the latter is Fats Navarro, but to my ears he sounds more like Kenny Dorham.

The Tony Scott Quartet was booked into Café Society from February 23–March 22 (“Goings on About Town: Café Society,” New Yorker, February 25, 1950, 4, and “Goings on About Town: Café Society,” New Yorker, March 11, 1950, 4). Dick Hyman was in Europe with Benny Goodman, leaving US on April 17 for a 6-week tour (“Goodman leaves for Denmark,” New York Times, April 18, 1950).

On one occasion, Hyman stated that he subbed for Bud Powell at Birdland shortly after the jam event under discussion, there accompanying Charlie Parker. This points to a date in March 1950. Bud Powell had opened at Birdland on March 16 as a soloist and continued with a trio accompanying Charlie Parker from March 23.

The band at Tony Scott’s Café Society gig was a quartet of Scott, Hyman, bass, and drums. Reviews show Tony Scott as playing both clarinet and tenor sax in the gig opening February 23 (Night Club Reviews: Café Society, New York,” Billboard, March 11, 1950, 54, and “Night Club Reviews,” Variety, March 1, 1950, 48), but on the Lover Come Back track from this jam session there is an overlap between ts and cl, showing that it is not Scot who plays the tenor solo here.

The recordings can be found in Boris Rose’s Birdland Book in connection with material recorded in 1950.

In 1991 and 1993 telephone interviews with Don Manning Boris Rose said that his associate, Bill Hirsch, made the recordings. Rose gives the following scenario (a transcription is located at IJS, Rutgers University, NJ): Hirsch who was a cripple went to Birdland with a heavy Ampex tape recorder, which Rose had provided him with. He was denied recording there, and Charlie Parker, who was present, helped him out with the recorder and took him to Café Society where he succeeded in recording.

In an email correspondence with me (November 2013) Dick Hyman has stated that the facts presented here “seem quite accurate,” except that he doesn’t remember Scott playing tenor sax at the Café Society gig. He recalls Scott doubling on tenor and baritone saxophone on other occasions.

 

March 23

Wynonie Harris (voc)

Mabel Scott (voc)

Charlie Parker

acc. by

Bud Powell Trio

Bud Powell (p); Curly Russell (b); Max Roach (d).

All Stars

Sonny Stitt (as); Gene Ammons; Stan Getz (ts); Milt Buckner (p); unidentified (b); Jo Jones (d).

Birdland, New York, NY.

Probably March 23–April 1.

 

Ad in New York Amsterdam News, March 25, 1950, 27.

Claes Dahlgreen: Nytt Fran New York,” Orkester Journalen April 1950, 12. Gives personnel of Bud Powell Trio.

“Milt Buckner Band Stays at Birdland,” New York Age, April 22, 1950, 14.

March 30

Gene Roland Orchestra

Marty Bell, Don Ferrera, Don Joseph, Jon Nielson, Al Porcino, Sonny Rich, Red Rodney, Neil Friez (tp); Frank Orchard (vtb); Eddie Bert, Porky Cohen, Jimmy Knepper, Paul Selden (tb); Joe Maini, Charlie Parker (as); Al Cohn, Don Lanphere, Tommy Mackagon, Zoot Sims (ts); Bob Newman, Marty Flax (bars); Harry Biss (p); Sam Herman (g); Buddy Jones (b); Freddie Gruber (d); Gene Roland (arr, dir).

Nola’s Studio, Broadway, New York City

Rehearsal.

 

Bob Newman in R. Reisner, Bird: The Legend of Charlie Parker (1962), 154-55: Newman tells about the Gene Roland Orchestra, dating 1949. It was supposed to open at the Adams Theatre, Newark, but this venue was too small, so it was cancelled. The orchestra existed for 2 weeks.

K. Vail, Bird’s Diary (1996), 72-73: Photos by Eddie Bert.

April

Charlie Parker

Release of Dial 1040.

10” 78. rpm. record.

 

Charlie Parker Quintet

Recorded November 4, 1947

 

Dial 1040-A

Klactoveedsedstene

Recorded December 17, 1947.

Dial 1040-B

Charlie’s Wig

 

“Record Reviews,” Metronome, May 1950, 43: Both sides: B- (fairly good). Review with many reservations

“Record Reviews: Hot Jazz,” Billboard, June 17, 1950, 121: Overall rating: Klactoveedstedstene: 69 (satisfactory); Charlie’s Wig: 71 (good).

“Diggin’ The Discs with Mix: Combo Jazz,” Down Beat, June 30, 1050, 14: Charlie’s Wig: 2 notes (tepid); Klactoveedstedstene: 3 notes (tasty).

 

 

April

Charlie Parker with Strings

Birdland, New York, NY.

Plans of presenting Parker with Strings at Birdland are not realized.

“Bird, Backed by Strings, Disappoints at Birdland,” Down Beat, August 25, 1950, 4: This review tells that shortly after the release of the Parker with Strings album plans were afoot to put the Bird and strings into Birdland, but it fell through.”

 

April?

Jam session

Unidentified (tp); Charlie Parker (as); unidentified (as); unidentified (p); unidentified (b); Freddie Gruber (d).

Unidentified venue, possibly Nola Studios, New York, NY.

Private tape recordings.

 

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=500400

K. Vail, Bird’s Diary (1996), 73: Freddie Gruber tells that many of the Gene Roland rehearsals ended up with just the rhythm section with Parker playing and the guys listening.

These tracks may be from one of the Nola sessions of Gene Roland.

 

 

April 1

Wynonie Harris (voc)

Charlie Parker

acc. by

Bud Powell Trio

Bud Powell (p); Curly Russell (b); Max Roach (d).

All Stars

Sonny Stitt (as); Gene Ammons; Stan Getz (ts); Milt Buckner (p); unidentified (b); Jo Jones (d).

Birdland, New York, NY.

April 1-6.

 

“Jazz Show,” Daily News, April 1, 1950, 17: opening tonight at Birdland: Wynonie Harris, Charlie Parker, and Gene Ammons.

“Goings on About Town: Birdland,” New Yorker, April 1, 1950, 6: Wynonie Harris (closing April 7). Bud Powell’s Trio (Charlie Parker sits in), and Gene Ammons band.

April 3

Gene Roland Orchestra

Marty Bell, Don Ferrera, Don Joseph, Jon Nielson, Al Porcino, Sonny Rich, Red Rodney, Neil Friez (tp); Frank Orchard (vtb); Eddie Bert, Porky Cohen, Jimmy Knepper, Paul Selden (tb); Joe Maini, Charlie Parker (as); Al Cohn, Don Lanphere, Tommy Mackagon, Zoot Sims (ts); Bob Newman, Marty Flax (bs); Harry Biss (p); Sam Herman (g); Buddy Jones (b): Freddie Gruber (d); Gene Roland (arr, dir).

Nola’s Studio, Broadway, New York, NY.

Rehearsal.

Private tape recordings exist.

 

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=500403

Bob Newman in R. Reisner, Bird: The Legend of Charlie Parker (1975), 154-55: Tells that tapes exist.

April 7

The Orioles

Savannah Churchill (voc)

Charlie Parker

acc. by

Bud Powell Trio

Probably: Bud Powell (p); Curly Russell (b); Max Roach (d).

Georgie Auld and His Orchestra

Birdland, New York, NY.

April 7-9.

Gala Easter Holiday Show.

 

Ad in New York Amsterdam News, April 8, 1950, 27.

 

April 10

Charlie Parker Quintet

Jimmy Knepper (tb); Charlie Parker (as); Elmo Hope (p); Tommy Potter?(b); Roy Haynes (d).

Showboat, Philadelphia, PA.

Opening April 10, 1950.

Tape recordings from this engagement are rumored to exist.

 

“Music–As Written,” Billboard, March 25, 1950, 47: Charlie Parker has been set for the Showboat, Philadelphia, starting April 10.

“Music–As Written,” Billboard, April 22, 1950, 26: Charlie Parker taking a return trip to the Showboat. Dizzy Gillespie took his place in the Club 421 band parade.

Booklet to The Complete Benedetti Recordings of Charlie Parker, Mosaic #129, 13: Photo of Knepper, Haynes, and Parker at the Showboat in Philadelphia 1950.

I think Elmo Hope is the pianist on the photo.

K. Vail, Bird’s Diary (1996), 105: Vail dates this photo November 1951, but an April 1950 dating seems more plausible in the light of Rodney’s illness at that time.

C. Haddix, Bird –The Life and Music of Charlie Parker (2013), 127 and 176, note 49: In a letter to Ross Russell (Russell Collection Ransom Center) Rodney tells about an appendicitis attack and hospitalization at his time.

 

May 1

Charlie Parker

Unidentified venue, New York, NY.

Charlie Parker interviewed by Marshall Stearns and John Maher.

Also present was Chan Parker [Richardson] and her daughter.

 

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=500501

The recorded interview appears in Boris Rose’s list.

In a 1993 telephone interview with Don Manning Boris Rose has related that he provided Marshal Stearns with a tape recorder.

A transcription of the Manning interview is located at IJS, Rutgers University, NJ.

 

May 2

Concert

Charlie Parker Orchestra

George Shearing Quintet

Slam Stewart Trio

Metropolitan Opera House, Philadelphia, PA.

 

“Music–As Written,” Billboard, April 15, 1950, 28.

May 3

Concert

Charlie Parker and His Orchestra

George Shearing Quintet

Slam Stewart Trio

Beryl Booker (p); Slam Stewart (b); unidentified (d).

Stewart cancelled because of illness. Substituted by:

Deuces Wild

Helen James

(voc) acc. by Ray Lawson (p)

Syria Mosque, Pittsburgh, PA.

8:30 p.m.

Presented by the Guardsmen of Pittsburgh.

 

"Guardsmen Aim at SRO for Shearing, Bird, Slam," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, April 30, 1950, 20.

Ad in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, April 30, 1950, Sec. 5, 2.

K. Vail (ed.), Charlie Parker & Jazz Club Memorabilia (2007), 21: Handbill. 39: Jazz Concert program.

"Local Scrappings," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, May 5, 1950, 26.

May 15?

Jam session

Fats Navarro (tp); Charlie Parker (as); Bud Powell; Walther Bishop Jr. (p); Curley Russell, Tommy Potter? (b); Art Blakey, Roy Haynes? (d); Little Jimmy Scott (voc).

Birdland, New York, NY.

Possibly May 15-16, around midnight.

Tape recordings by Bill Hirsch exist.

 

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=500517

Boris Rose’s list dates most of this material May 17, but in a 1993 telephone interview with Don Manning Boris Rose said that the dating of the material in this part of his list is rather arbitrary with the purpose of concealing the real recording date (a transcription of this interview is located at IJS, Rutgers University, NJ.):

For further details see L. B. Petersen and T. Rehak, Infatuation - The Music and Life of Theodore "Fats" Navarro (2009), 281, 284—90.

 

May 19

Machito Orchestra

Usually listed as Charlie Parker (as) and Howard McGhee (tp) as soloists with the Machito Orchestra: Mario Bauza, Frank Davilla, Bob Woodlen (tp); Gene Johnson, Fred Skerritt (as); Jose Madera, Frank Socolow (ts); Leslie Johnakins (bs); René Hernandez (p); Robert Rodriguez (b); Jose Mangual (d); Luis Miranda (cng); Ubaldo Nieto (timbales); Machito (maracas).

Renaissance Ballroom, Harlem, New York, NY.

Private tape recordings by Marshall Stearns exist.

 

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=500519b

In Boris Rose's list these items are labeled "Afro-Cuban Bop -FS.” The FS has been interpreted as Frank Socolow.

In a 1993 telephone interview with Don Manning Boris Rose said that he provided Marshall Stearns with a tape recorder and that Stearns made these recordings. In discussion with Manning Rose cannot explain the FS and sticks to the Parker identification of the alto sax soloist (a transcription of the Manning interview is located at IJS, Rutgers University, NJ.).

Listening to the recordings, I am pretty sure that it is not Howard McGhee we hear soloing. I also severely doubt the presence of Charlie Parker.

 

May 20

Concert

Charlie Parker

Flip Philips

Kenny Dorham

Slam Stewart Trio

Beryl Booker (p); Slam Stewart (b); unidentified (d).

Masonic Temple, Norwich, CT.

Sponsored by Downtown Community Association.

Cancer Fund Benefit.

 

Ad in Hartford Courant, May 5, 1950, 4: Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Stan Getz, J. J. Johnson, and Slam Stewart Trio. Sponsored by Downtown Community Association. Norwich.

Ad in Hartford Courant, May 19, 1950, 1: Charlie Parker, Slam Stewart Trio, Benny Green, Kenny Dorham, and Beryl Booker. Sponsored by Downtown Community Association. Norwich.

Ad in Hartford Courant, May 20, 1950, 8: Charlie Parker, Flip Philips, Slam Stewart Trio, Kenny Dorham. Auspices DCA Fund Benefit.

 

May 28

Jam Session

Charlie Parker (as); Jon Eardley, Norma Carson (tp); Jimmy Knepper (tb); Gers Yowell, Bob Newman (ts); John Williams (p); Buddy Jones (b); Frank Isola, Phil Brown, Buzzy Bridgeford (d).

William Henry Apartments, New York, NY.

Private wire recordings by Gers Yowell exist.

 

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=500528

 

May 29

Charlie Parker

422 E. 11th Street, New York, NY.

Chan Parker [Richardson] and Charlie Parker start living together at Parker's apartment.

 

Chan Parker [Richardson], My Life In E-Flat (1993). 30.

Doris Sydnor in R. Reisner, Bird: The Legend of Charlie Parker (1962) 174:  Parker and Chan move together in July 1950.

June

Jam session

Jon Nielson (tp); Jimmy Knepper (tb); Charlie Parker; Joe Maini (as); Don Lanphere (ts); Al Haig (p); Buddy Jones (b); Frank Isola (d).

William Henry Apartments, New York, NY.

Possibly June.

Private wire recordings by Don Lanphere exist.

 

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=500600

Phil Schaap in Bird Flight (WKCR) dates these recordings Sunday, January 7, 1951. No source given.

June 5

Jam session

Dizzy Gillespie (tp), Charlie Parker (as), and others.

Birdland, New York, NY.

Monday night jam session.

 

L. Feather, "Seven Days of Bop," Melody Maker, July 1, 1950.

This may have been a kind of rehearsal for the Following days’ recording session.

June 6

Charlie Parker and His Orchestra

Dizzy Gillespie (tp); Charlie Parker (as); Thelonious Monk (p); Curly Russell (b); Buddy Rich (d).

Unidentified studio, New York, NY.

Commercial recordings for Mercury Records.

 

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=500606

 

June 8

Charlie Parker Quintet

Kenny Dorham (tp); Charlie Parker (as); Al Haig (p), Tommy Potter (b); Roy Haynes (d).

Art Tatum

Cliff Jackson

Jack Prince

Lea Matthews

Café Society Downtown, New York, NY.

June 8–July 5.

 

Undated private tape recordings probably by Bill Hirsch exist:

Charlie Parker Quintet. Two of these tracks also include Tony Scott in a jam session setting.

 

“Goings on About Town: Birdland,” New Yorker, June 3, 1950, 4: Tatum, Jack Prince, Parker, and Cliff Jackson (intermission p) opening June 8.

“Goings on About Town: Birdland,” New Yorker, July 1, 1950, 4: Tatum, Prince, Parker, and Lea Matthews closing July 5.

“Night Club Reviews: Cafe Society,” Billboard, July 1, 1950: 40: Reviewed June 20. Art Tatum. Parker Quintet. Jack Prince (voc), Lea Matthews (voc).

“Bird, Backed by Strings, Disappoints at Birdland,” Down Beat, August 25, 1950, 4: A try to have Charlie Parker with strings at Café Society aborted and resulted in a quintet gig.

“In Person: Charlie Parker,” Metronome, August 1950, 19: Positive review.  https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=500608a

 

June late

Birdland All Stars

Miles Davis, Fats Navarro (tp), J. J. Johnson (tb); Brew Moore (ts); Tadd Dameron, Walter Bishop Jr. (p); Curly Russell (b): Art Blakey (d); Chubby Newsome (voc); Pee Wee Marquette (mc).

Birdland, New York, NY.

Tape recordings by Bill Hirsch exist.

 

https://www.plosin.com/milesAhead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=500630

I doubt Charlie Parker’s presence here. He supposed to be heard in a flurry on Deception, but it could just as well be Brew Moore in a high-register outburst.

According to Phil Schaap, Bird Flight, (WKCR) the June 30 date comes from Bill Hirsch, who claimed that the recording took place a week before Navarro died.

Boris Rose’s Birdland Book dates some of this material May 17, but in a 1993 telephone interview with Don Manning Boris said that the dating of the material in this part of his list is rather arbitrary in order to conceal the real recording date (a transcription is located at IJS, Rutgers University, NJ).

 

June late?

Jam session?

Charlie Parker (as); unidentified (p); unidentified (b); unidentified (d).

Unknown venue, possibly Café Society, New York, NY.

Unknown date, possibly June/July 1950

Private recording exists.

 

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=500700

 

July

Jazz at the Philharmonic

Release of Norman Granz’ Jazz at the Philharmonic Vol. 12.

Mercury 11054, 11055, 11056.

3 10" 78 rpm. records album.

 

MG vol. 12

10" 33 rpm. LP.

 

Recorded September 18, 1949.

Jazz at the Philharmonic

 

MG 11054 A

The Opener part 1

MG 11054 B

Lester Leaps In part 3

 

MG 11055 A

The Opener part 2

MG 11055 B

Lester Leaps In part 2

 

MG 11056 A

The Opener part 3

MG 11056 B

Lester Leaps In part 1

 

MG-vol. 12-A

The Opener

MG-vol. 12-B

Lester Leaps In

 

"Album and LP Record Reviews," Billboard, July 22, 1950, 37: Positive review. Rating 80 (excellent).

Diggin’ the Discs with Mix: Combo Jazz,” Down Beat, August 25, 1950, 15: Album rating: 3 notes (tasty).

July 6

Charlie Parker with Strings

Charlie Parker (as,  dir); Tommy Macey (oboe); Sam Caplan, Jerry Molfese, All Feller (vln); Dave Uchitel (viola); Seymour Barab (cello); Wallace MacManus (harp); Al Haig (p); Tommy Potter (b); Roy Haynes (d).

Gene Ammons/Sonny Stitt Band

Incl. Sonny Stitt (as); Gene Ammons (ts).

Stan Getz Quartet

Stan Getz (ts); Al Haig p); Tommy Potter (b); probably Roy Haynes (d).

Birdland, New York, NY.

July 6-26.

 

“Goings on About Town: Birdland,” New Yorker, July 8, 1950, 5.

“Night Club Reviews: Birdland,” Billboard, July 22, 1950, 43: Reviewed on Thursday July 6.

“In Person: Charlie Parker,” Metronome, August 1950, 19: Positive review. 

“Bird, Backed by Strings, Disappoints at Birdland,” Down Beat, August 25, 1950, 4:  Very negative review. The personnel are listed.

July 27

Charlie Parker with Strings

Teddy Blume (vln) replaces Sam Caplan during this or the ensuing engagement.

Dizzy Gillespie Orchestra

Dizzy Gillespie (tp); Charlie Parker (as); Bud Powell (p); Curly Russell (b); Art Blakey (d).

Coleman Hawkins Band

Miles Davis (tp); J. J. Johnson (tb); Coleman Hawkins (ts); same rhythm group as Gillespie.

Birdland, New York, NY.

July 27–August 9.

 

“Goings on About Town: Birdland,” New Yorker, July 29, 1950, 4: Charlie Parker with Strings, Dizzy Gillespie, Coleman Hawkins. “Night Club Reviews: Birdland,” Variety, August 2, 1950, 46.

“Goings on About Town: Birdland,” New Yorker, August 5, 1950, 4: Through August 9: Charlie Parker with Strings, Dizzy Gillespie, Coleman Hawkins.

Teddy Blume interviewed by Phil Schaap in a WCKR radio broadcast August 29, 1987: Blume subbed for Caplan on a Sunday night because Parker had fired Caplan. Parker did not show up until 2 a.m., so Gillespie subbed for Parker until then. There were problems about money for paying the musicians and Blume quit the job without being paid.

If it was a payday, it seems more likely that this happened on a Wednesday than a Sunday, as engagements usually ran from Thursdays to Wednesdays.

Blume also tells of Symphony Sid broadcasting from Birdland on this night. Symphony Sid’s all-night disc show had started to emanate from Birdland on August 1. It was sent Tuesday to Sunday from midnight to 5:45 a.m. on WJZ (“Symphony Sid Goes into N.Y. Jazz Nitery,” Variety, July 12, 1950, 42).

The next day Billy Shaw called Teddy Blume to the agency office and offered him the job as 1st violinist. Blume accepts; Sam Caplan returns at Blume’s request but leaves shortly after because of continuing quarrels with Parker.

Blume also claims that he was offered the position as personal manager for Parker instead of Maely Bartholomew at this occasion, but this seems to have been later (see August late).

Teddy Blume in R. Reisner, Bird: The Legend of Charlie Parker (1962), 56–62.

 

August 10

Charlie Parker with Strings

Billy Taylor replaces Al Haig (p).

Dizzy Gillespie Orchestra

Kai Winding Band

Birdland, New York, NY.

August 10-16.

 

“Goings on About Town: Birdland,” New Yorker, August 12, 1950, 6: Charlie Parker with Strings, Dizzy Gillespie Band, and Kai Winding Band closing August 16. Jam sessions on Mondays.

Billy Taylor interviewed by Mr. Brown and Eugene Holly, November 19, 1993, transcript pp.78–79. Smithsonian Jazz Oral History Program, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC: Taylor joined Parker with Strings at Birdland one week before the Apollo gig.

Phil Schaap, Bird Flight, WKCR: Parker did not show up on last night. Gillespie subbed for him.

 

August 17

Charlie Parker with Strings

11 pieces: Charlie Parker (as, dir); Tommy Macey (oboe); Teddy Blume, Sam Caplan?, Stan Karpenia (vln); Dave Uchitel (viola); Bill Bundy (cello); Wallace McManus (harp); Billy Taylor (p), Tommy Potter (b), Roy Haynes (d).

Stan Getz Orchestra

Stan Fishelson, Al Porcino, Harry  Edison Idrees Sulieman (tp); Johnny Mandel (b-tp); Stan Getz, Zoot Sims, Don Lanphere (ts); Gerry Mulligan (bars); Terry Gibbs (vib); Billy Taylor (p); Tommy Potter (b); Roy Haynes (d).

Sarah Vaughan (voc)

acc. by Jimmy Jones, George Treadwell (dir); Stan Getz Orchestra; Charlie Parker Orchestra.

Timmie Rogers (comedy and voc)

acc. by Stan Getz Orchestra.

Three Poms (tapsters).

Symphony Sid (mc).

Apollo Theater, New York, NY.

August 17-23.

This bill constituted Apollo’s re-opening after 4 weeks of re-decoration. A new practice was introduced: Apollo bill openings on Thursdays instead of Fridays.

 

August 22:

Private tape recordings by Al Porcino exist:

Charlie Parker with Strings: 6 shows.

Finale: Sarah Vaughan; Stan Getz Orchestra; Charlie Parker.

Wednesday August 23:

Harlem Amateur Night. WMCA broadcast 11:10–12:00 p.m.:

Private recording exists: Parker with Strings and Sarah Vaughan with Stan Getz Orchestra.

 

Ad in New York Age, August 19, 1950, 9.

“House Reviews: Apollo, N. Y.,” Variety, August 23, 1959, 18: reviewed on August 17.

“Metronome Reviews in Person,” Metronome , November 1950, 22: Review: Has Harry Edison (tp) instead of Sulieman; has Charlie Parker’s  rhythm section.

Teddy Blume in R. Reisner, Bird: The Legend of Charlie Parker (1962), 59: Teddy Blume claims that he acted as Parker’s personal manager here.

“On the Radio,” New York Times, August 23, 1950, 58.

Phil Schaap, Bird Flight (WKCR) April 2012.

Boris Rose’s Birdland Book

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=500817

https://www.plosin.com/milesAhead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=500823

 

 

August late

Charlie Parker

Maely Bartholomew [Dufty] becomes personal manager for Charlie Parker. The press describes her as a European newspaperwoman, who plans to sign artists for work abroad.

This seems to have been announced at Parker’s birthday party at Birdland on August 29.

Teddy Blume takes over as personal manager after her.

 

Photo and text in Chicago Defender (Nat. ed), September 26, 1950, 20.

“Early Bird Gets, “Pittsburgh Courier (Nat. ed.) September 9, 1950, 14.

Maely Bartholomew [Dufty] was married to actor Freddie Bartholomew. Later, she divorced  Bartholomew and married the journalist William Dufty, Billie Holiday’s biographer.

Teddy Blume interviewed by Phil Schaap in WCKR radio broadcast August 29, 1987.

 

August late/

September early

Charlie Parker with Strings

Joseph Singer (frh); Charlie Parker (as); Edwin Brown (oboe), Sam Caplan, Howard Kay, Zelly Smirnoff (vln); Isadore Zir (viola); Maurice Brown (cello); Verley Mills (harp); Bernie Leighton (p); Ray Brown (b); Buddy Rich (d); Joe Lipman (arr & dir).

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

Late August / early September.

Commercial recordings for Mercury.

 

https://www.plosin.com/milesAhead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=500800b

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

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

Phil Schaap, Bird Flight (WKCR): The conventional given date is July 5, but this is wrong. Lippman has said that he consulted Parker concerning the arrangements during the Apollo Theater engagement. There seems to have been two sessions.

August 28

Charlie Parker

probably accompanied by

Eddie Shanholtz Quintet

Rainbow Inn, New Brunswick, NJ.

Private tape recordings exist.

 

Ad in Courier News, August 28, 1950, 17: "Charlie Parker in 

an evening of Modern Sounds - also- Eddie Shanholtz Quintet."

It is possible that Parker was accompanied by Shanholtz' quintet. The ad is not informative on this point.

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=500828

 

August 29

Charlie Parker

Birdland, New York, NY.

Parker celebrates his 30th birthday at a party at Birdland. Billy Eckstine participates.

 

“Really Flying High,” Chicago Defender (Nat. ed), September 26, 1950, 21: Photo and text.

August 31

Charlie Parker with Strings

Stan Getz Band

Oscar Pettiford Trio

Billy Taylor (p); Oscar Pettiford (b); Jo Jones (d).

Birdland, New York, NY.

August 31–September 13.

 

“Goings on About own: Birdland,” New Yorker, September 2, 1950, 6: Pettiford Trio, Stan Getz Band, and Charlie Parker with strings.

“Goings on About Town: Birdland,” New Yorker, September 9, 6: Pettiford Trio, Stan Getz Band, and Charlie Parker, all closing September 13.

September

Charlie Parker Sextet

Release of Dial 1055 September 1950

10” 78 rpm record.

 

Charlie Parker Sextet

Recorded December 17, 1947.

Dial 1055-A

How Deep Is the Ocean

Dial 1055-B

Crazeology

 

Ad for Microgroove Record Co, Metronome October 1950, 32 lists this record.

September ?

Charlie Parker Quintet

The Release date of Dial 1056 is not identified. Probably last part of 1950 judging from the series number

 

Charlie Parker Quintet

Recorded October 28, 1947.

Dial 1056-A

The Hymn

Dial 1056-B

Air Conditioning (Dewey Square)

 

 

September ?

Charlie Parker Quintet

The Release date of Dial 1058 is not identified. Probably last part of 1950 judging from the series number.

 

Charlie Parker Quintet

Recorded November 4, 1947.

Dial 1058-A

My Old Flame

Dial 1058-B

Bird Feathers

 

 

September early

JATP

Charlie Parker-Coleman Hawkins

Charlie Parker (as); Coleman Hawkins (ts); Hank Jones (p); Ray Brown (b); Buddy Rich (d).

Hank Jones Trio

Hank Jones (p); Ray Brown (b): Buddy Rich (d).

Lester Young-Bill Harris

Bill Harris (tb); Lester Young (ts); Hank Jones (p); Ray Brown (b); Buddy Rich (d).

Ella Fitzgerald/Harry Edison/Flip Philips

Harry Edison (tp): Bill Harris (tb); Lester Young, Flip Philips (ts); Hank Jones (p); Ray Brown (b); Buddy Rich (d); Ella Fitzgerald (voc).

Gjon Mili Studio, New York, NY.

Between September 5 and September 15.

Shooting and recording for a Norman Granz film project titled Improvisation.

Film and recordings exist.

 

 “JATP Sets Up Film Division,” Billboard, June 17, 1950, 42: Shooting will start on September 5.

“Granz Duz All, Makes Hot Jazz Pay Upward of $500,000 a Yr.,” Billboard, September 9, 1950, 13: article dated New York September 3. In conjunction with photographer Gjon Mili, Granz will produce the first of a series of JATP movie shorts.

“Johnny Gotham's New York Beat,” New York Age, October 28, 1950, 14: JATP is now available on film starring Ella Fitzgerald, Flip Philips, Charlie Parker, Coleman Hawkins, Buddy Rich, Hank Jones, Ray Brown, and Harry Edison.

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=500900a

 

September early

Charlie Parker Quartet

Charlie Parker (as); Hank Jones (p); Ray Brown (b); Buddy Rich (d).

Unidentified studio, New York, NY.

Commercial recordings for Mercury Records.

 

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=500300

The conventional dating, March/April 1950, seems dubious.

These recordings are more probably from the period of the Improvisation recordings of Granz.

September 15

JATP Concert

JATP Tour Band

Bill Harris (tb); Flip Philips, Lester Young, Coleman Hawkins (ts); Hank Jones, Oscar Peterson (p); Ray Brown (b): Buddy Rich (d); Ella Fitzgerald (voc).

Charlie Parker?

Oscar Peterson

Bushnell Memorial Auditorium, Hartford, CT.

8:30 p.m.

 

"Sings Here Friday," Hartford Courant, September 14, 1950, 8: Mentions Charlie Parker.

Ad in Hartford Courant, September 14, 1950, 8: does not mention Charlie Parker.

September 16

JATP Concert

JATP Tour Band

Harry Edison (tp); Bill Harris (tb); Flip Philips, Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young (ts); Oscar Peterson, Hank Jones (p); Ray Brown (b); Buddy Rich (d); Ella Fitzgerald (voc).

Charlie Parker with Strings

Charlie Parker (as); Tommy Mace (oboe); Teddy Blume, Sam Caplan, Stan Karpenia (vln); Dave Uchitel (viola); unidentified (cello); Wallace McManus (harp); Al Haig (p); Tommy Potter (b): Roy Haynes (d).

Oscar Peterson

Carnegie Hall, New York, NY.

8:30 p.m.

Recordings exist.

 

“Granz Duz All, Makes Hot Jazz Pay Upward of $500,000 a Yr.,” Billboard, September 9, 1950, 13: Ad in Daily News, September 15, 1950, 89: Edison is mentioned as added attraction, but he participated in the rest of the tour.

“’Jazz at the Philharmonic” Packs Carnegie Hall, N.Y...." Variety, September 20, 1950, 40: Review.

https://www.plosin.com/milesAhead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=500916

September 17

JATP Concert

JATP Tour Band

Harry Edison (tp); Bill Harris (tb); Flip Philips, Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young (ts); Oscar Peterson, Hank Jones (p); Ray Brown (b); Buddy Rich (d); Ella Fitzgerald (voc).

Charlie Parker with Strings

Charlie Parker (as); Tommy Mace (oboe); Teddy Blume, Sam Caplan, Stan Karpenia (vln); Dave Uchitel (viola); unidentified (cello); Wallace McManus (harp); Al Haig (p); Tommy Potter (b): Roy Haynes (d).

Oscar Peterson

Mosque Theater, Newark, NJ.

September 16 after midnight.

 

“Granz Duz All, Makes Hot Jazz Pay Upward of $500,000 a Yr.,” Billboard, September 9, 1950, 13.

September 17

JATP Concert

JATP Tour Band

Harry Edison (tp); Bill Harris (tb); Flip Philips, Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young (ts); Oscar Peterson, Hank Jones (p); Ray Brown (b); Buddy Rich (d); Ella Fitzgerald (voc).

Charlie Parker with Strings

Charlie Parker (as); Tommy Mace (oboe); Teddy Blume, Sam Caplan, Stan Karpenia (vln); Dave Uchitel (viola); unidentified (cello); Wallace McManus (harp); Al Haig (p); Tommy Potter (b): Roy Haynes (d).

Oscar Peterson

National Guard Armory, Washington, DC.

8:30 pm.

 

“Granz Duz All, Makes Hot Jazz Pay Upward of $500,000 a Yr.,” Billboard, September 9, 1950, 13.

Ad in Evening Star, September 15, 1950, C 8.

 

September 22

Charlie Parker with Strings

Nadine Jansen (p)

Blue Note, Chicago, IL

September 22–October 5.

Ad in Chicago Sun-Times, September 21, sec. 2, 6.

“Yardbird in Brooklyn,” New York Age, October 21, 1950, 14: Parker has closed a glorious fortnight engagement at the Blue Note.

“Parker's ‘Mood Music’ Is Out of This World,” Chicago Defender (nat. ed.), October 14, 1950, 20: Review of Blue Note performances.

 

October 6

Charlie Parker with Strings

? Ballroom, Detroit, MI.

October 6-8.

http://www.birdlives.co.uk/gallery/norman-saks-gallery

Norman Saks Collection: Receipt for 10% collection by Local 5: $66. Date of engagement: 3 days ending October 8, 1950. Day of receipt: October 7, 1950.

 

October 9

Charlie Parker and His Band

Slim Gaillard Trio

Ann Cornell (voc)

Club Harlem, Philadelphia, PA.

October 9-15.

Nightly from 7:30 p.m. Saturday Matinee 2:30–6 p.m.

 

Ad in Philadelphia Inquirer, October 9, 1950, 26: Opening October 9. Nightly from 7:30. Saturday Matinee 2:30–6 p.m. Opening October 18; Jimmy Rushing

"Philly Niteries Book Heavy Array of Recording Names," Billboard, October 14, 1950, 55.

"it's Happening Here," Philadelphia Inquirer, October 12, 1950, 25: Jimmy Rushing opening at Club Harlem Monday.

“New Philly Spot Features Parker, Down Beat, October 20, 1950, 16: states that ii is a 2-weeks engagement.

 

October 13

Charlie Parker and His Band

Benjamin Franklin High School, Philadelphia, PA.

 

"it's Happening Here," Philadelphia Inquirer, October 13, 15, 1950.

October 19

Charlie Parker with Strings

Soldier Meyer's, Brooklyn, New York, NY.

October 19-25.

Ad in New York Amsterdam News, October 14, 1950, B13: Opening Thursday, October 19.

“Night Life,” Brooklyn Eagle, October 20, 1950, 10: Parker opens a week's run tonight.

 

October 23

Charlie Parker

accompanied by

Freeman Bros Band

Earl Lavon Freeman, unidentified (ts); Chris Anderson, unidentified (p); George Freeman (g); Leroy Jackson (b); Bruz Freeman (d); unidentified (voc).

Pershing Ballroom, Chicago IL.

October 23, 1950.

Private tape recordings by Donald Coy exist.

 

“The ‘Bird’ Flies to Chicago,” Chicago Defender, November 4, 1950, 11.

https://www.plosin.com/milesAhead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=501105

 

 

October 26

Charlie Parker with Strings?

Birdland, New York, NY.

October 26–November 2.           

 

“Goings On About Town: Birdland,” New Yorker, October 28, 1950, 12: "Through Thursday, November 2, Charlie Parker's Band in full cry."

Probably Parker with Strings.

 

October 31

TV Broadcast

Unidentified (tp); Charlie Parker (as); Milton De Lugg (accordion); unidentified (p); unidentified (b); unidentified (d); Ray Malone (tap dancer), Buddy Lester (mc, voc); Dagmar (mc); Jerry Lester (mc).

WNTB TV Studio, New York, NY.

11:00 p.m.: Broadway Open House.

Private sound-recordings exist.

 

“Television,” Brooklyn Eagle, October 31, 1950, 21: WNBT, 11:00: Broadway Open House. Jerry Lester (mc).

https://www.plosin.com/milesAhead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=501031

November

Charlie Parker with Strings

Release of Mercury 11068

10” 78 rpm. record.

 

Recorded August 1950.

Mercury 11068 A

Dancing in the Dark

Mercury 11068 B

Laura

 

“Record Reviews: Hot Jazz,” Billboard, November 25, 1950, 127:

Overall rating: Dancing in the Dark: 80 (excellent); Laura: 83 (excellent).

November 3

Swedish Tour

Charlie Parker signs a contract dated November 3, which decreeds a payment of § 1000 for the tour. One half paid before Parker leaves US, and the rest in 3 parts during the stay in Sweden. It also included a flying ticket New York-Stockholm and back on first  class.

 

M. Westin, Charlie Parker in Sweden (2014), 165–66: Reproduction of the contract.

 

November 18

Swedish Tour

Roy Eldridge (tp); Charlie Parker (as).

Eldridge did only participate in parts of the tour.

November 18–November 27.

Nils Hellström, Estrad, (prod).

 

M. Westin, Charlie Parker in Sweden (2014): this book gives a very detailed account of the tour, based on a lot of primary sources.

November 18

Swedish Tour

Charlie Parker departs from New York.

11:30 am.

 

www.ancestry,com: SAS SK 912: New York, USA–Gander, Newfoundland–Prestwick, Scotland–Copenhagen, Denmark–Stockholm, Sweden.

Only Parker (not Eldrigde) is departing from New York with this plane.

M. Westin, Charlie Parker in Sweden (2014), 45: Eldridge entered the plane in Copenhagen.

 

November 19

Swedish Tour

Charlie Parker and Roy Eldridge arrive at Bromma, Stockholm, and are checked in at the Hotel Plaza.

 

M. Westin, Charlie Parker in Sweden (2014), 45–49.

November 20

Swedish Tour

concert

Charles Norman Orchestra

Leppe Sundewall (tp); Gösta Theselius (ts); Charles Norman (p); Thore Jederby (b); Andrew Burman (d).

Roy Eldridge

accompanied by Charles Norman Orchestra

Rolf Ericsson/Arne Domnerus Orchestra

Rolf Ericsson (tp); Arne Domnerus (as); Rolf Blomquist (ts); Lars Gullin (bars); Gunnar Svensson (p); Yngve Akerberg (b); Jack Norén (d).

Charlie Parker

accompanied by Rolf Ericsson (tp); Gunnar Svensson (p); Yngve Akerberg (b); Jack Norén (d).

Konserthuset, Stockholm, Sweden.

7 and 9 pm.

During the day Charlie Parker and Roy Eldridge rehearsed for the evening concerts.

Private tape recordings exist.

 

Ad in Dagens Nyheter, November 20, 1950.

M. Westin, Charlie Parker in Sweden (2014), 53–73, 82–84

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=501120

 

November 20

Swedish Tour

Jam session

Leppe Sundewall, Roy Eldridge (tp); Charlie Parker (as); Lars Gullin (bars); Rolf Larsson, Reinhold Svensson (p); Simon Brehm, Yngve Akerberg (b); Jack Norén (d).

Van der Lindeska Valven, Stockholm, Sweden.

Jam session arranged by Stockholm's Jazz Club.

A Monday night jam session had been announced at the jazz club, Nalen, but this was not realized.

 

M. Westin, Charlie Parker in Sweden (2014), 66, 75–81

 

November 21

Swedish Tour

Concert

The Swedish All Stars

Rolf Ericsson (tp); Arne Domnerus (as); Gösta Theselius (ts); Charles Norman (p); Thore Jederby (b); Jack Norén (d).

Roy Eldridge

accompanied by Swedish All Stars

The Swedish All Stars

Rolf Ericsson (tp); Arne Domnerus (as); Gösta Theselius (p); Thore Jederby (b); Jack Norén (d).

Charlie Parker

accompanied by  Rolf Ericsson (tp); Gösta Theselius (p); Thore Jederby (b); Jack Norén (d).

Konserthuset, Göteborg, Sweden.

7 and 9 pm.

 

Ad in Göteborgsposten, November 20, 1950.

M. Westin, Charlie Parker in Sweden (2014), 85–96.

 

November 22

Swedish Tour

Concert and Dance

The Swedish All Stars

Rolf Ericsson (tp); Arne Domnerus (as); Gösta Theselius (p); Thore Jederby (b); Jack Norén (d).

Charlie Parker

Rolf Ericsson (tp); Arne Domnerus (as); Gösta Theselius (p); Thore Jederby (b); Jack Norén (d).

Gene Richmond’s Orchestra

Amiralen, Malmö, Sweden.

8 pm.

Concert and dance.

Private tape recordings exist.

 

Ad in Arbetet, November 22, 1950.

M. Westin, Charlie Parker in Sweden (2014), 97–103, 108–10.

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=501122

 

 

November 22

Swedish Tour

Jam session

Rolf Ericsson, Beppo Gräsman (tp); Leif Been (cl); Charlie Parker; Arne Domnerus (as); Gösta Theselius (p); Thore Jederby, Eje Öberg (b); Jack Norén (d).

University of Lund, Lund, Sweden.

Jam session after the concert in Malmö

 

M. Westin, Charlie Parker in Sweden (2014), 103–105.

November 23

Swedish Tour -  Copenhagen

Concert

Leo Mathiesen Band

Including Jörgen Ryg (tp); Leo Mathiesen (p).

Helge Jacobsen’s Trio

Including  Helge Jacobsen (g).

Lasse Gerlyng’s Orchestra

Including  Rowland Greenbert (tp).

The Swedish All Stars

Rolf Ericsson (tp); Arne Domnerus (as); Gösta Theselius (p); Thore Jederby (b); Jack Norén (d).

Roy Eldridge

Accompanied by Swedish All Stars.

Charlie Parker

Accompanied by Swedish All Stars (without Domnerus).

KB-Hallen, Copenhagen, Denmark.

The concerts closed with a general jam session.

7 and 9:15 pm.

 

Ad in Politiken, November 23, 1950.

M. Westin, Charlie Parker in Sweden (2014), 111–116, 118–120.

November 24

Swedish Tour

Concert and Dance.

The Swedish All Stars

Rowland Greenberg; Rolf Ericsson (tp); Arne Domnerus (as); Gösta Theselius (p); Thore Jederby (b); Jack Norén (d).

Charlie Parker

Accompanied by Swedish All Stars (without Domnerus).

Jack Philips Orchestra

Lennart Johansson (tp); Rune Håkonsson (ts); Lennart Nilsson (p); Folke Holst (B); Errik Saxell (d).

(dance before and between concerts)

Folkparken, Hälsingborg, Sweden.

9:30 and 23 pm.

Private recordings exist.

 

Ad in Skånska Socialdemokraten, November 22, 1950.

M. Westin, Charlie Parker in Sweden (2014), 123–26, 130–31,

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=501124a

 

November 24

Swedish Tour

Jam session

Rowland Greenberg, Rolf Ericsson (tp), Charlie Parker (as), Gösta Theselius (ts), Lennart Nilsson (p), Folke Holst  and/or Thore Jederby (b), Eric Nilsson (d),

Restaurant Sjöcrona, Folkparken, Hälsingborg, Sweden.

Jam session after the concerts.

Private recordings exist.

 

M. Westin, Charlie Parker in Sweden (2014), 126–29.

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=501124b

 

November 25

Swedish Tour

Concert and Dance.

The Swedish All Stars

Rowland Greenberg (tp); Arne Domnerus (as), cl); Gösta Theselius (p); Thore Jederby (b); Jack Norén (d).

Charlie Parker

Accompanied by Swedish All Stars

Blå Fältet

Spännerville’s Orchestra

Jönköbings Idrottshus, Jönköpimg, Sweden.

8 pm–midnight

 

Ad in Smålands Allehanda, November 22, 1950.

M. Westin, Charlie Parker in Sweden (2014), 134–140-

 

November 26

Swedish Tour

Concert and Dance.

The Swedish All Stars

Rolf Ericsson; (tp); Arne Domnerus (as) cl); Gösta Theselius (p); Thore Jederby (b); Jack Norén (d).

Charlie Parker

Accompanied by Swedish All Stars

Blå Fältet

Spännerville’s Orchestra

Dans-restaurangen, Folkparken, Gävle, Sweden.

8 pm–1 am.

 

Ad in Gefle Dagblad, November 23, 1959.

M. Westin, Charlie Parker in Sweden (2014), 142–48.

 

 

November 27

Swedish Tour

Toots Thielemans

Putte Wickman’s Orchestra

Including Putte Wickman (cl); Bosse Hällström (vib); Roland Bengtsson (b); Stubben Kallin (d).

Cab Caye Oand His Cabinets

Charlie Parker

Accompanied by Wickman’s orchestra.

Nalen, Stockholm, Sweden.

 

M. Westin, Charlie Parker in Sweden (2014), 151–155: Charlie Parker Guests Nalen.

November 28

Swedish Tour

Charlie Parker

Flight departure from Sweden, arrival in Paris.

Charles Delaunay had invited Charlie Parker to do a concert in Paris and promised an advance.

Charlie Parker moves in at Kenny Clarke and Annie Ross' apartment.

 

M. Westin, Charlie Parker in Sweden (2014), 157-

Chan Parker (Richardson), My Life In E-Flat (1993) , 30–31.

K. Vail, Bird’s Diary (1996), 93: Note from Kenny Clarke to Parker.

November 28

Swedish Tour - Paris

Charlie Parker

Maurice Moufflard Orchestra

Roger Guerin, Georges Jouvin, Pierre Fassin, Yves Alouette (tp); André Paginet, Maurice Gladieu, Charles Juss (tb); Robert Merchez (as); Marcel Pomes (ts); Honoré Truc (bs); Robert Cambier (p); Henri Karen (b); Pierre Loteguy (d); unidentified (perc), Maurice Moufflard (arr, dir).

Studio Washington, Le Poste Parisien, Paris, France.

O.R.T.F. radio broadcast.

Recording exists.

 

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=501128

December 2

Swedish Tour - Paris

Charlie Parker

Charlie Parker leaves Paris and thereby backs out of a planned concert appearance together with Kenny Clarke in the weekend.

 

www.ancestry.com: SAS SK 911: Stockholm, Sweden–Oslo, Norway–Prestwick, Scotland­–Gander, Newfoundland–New York, USA.

Parker enters this flight in Prestwick. He may have reached here via a KLM flight from Amsterdam–New York, which also had a stop in Prestwick on December 2.

L. Feather, “Parker Hotar Stämma Delaunay,” Estrad, February 1951, 7: Article, dated January 1, explains Parker retreat, which involved contractual matters. Parker claims that he was offered no salary and only francs 10,000 pr. day to cover his expenses, money that he never got. There were also disagreements concerning who should pay his return flying ticket.

M. Westin, Charlie Parker in Sweden (2014), 157–59: Confirms that  Parker left for contractual reasons. The Swedish promoter, Hellström, would not allow Parker to perform in Paris without that the Charles Delaunay paid Parker’s return ticket. On this background Billy Shaw ordered Parker not to perform in Paris and leave immidiatly.

 

 

 

December 3

Charlie Parker

Parker arrives at New York at 10:48 am.

He is met in the airport by Chan Parker and Leonard Feather.

They are lunching together, and Feather sets Parker in telephonic contact with Charles Delaunay giving Parker an opportunity to  explain his absence from the concert. This was recorded for use in Feather’s radio show.

 

www.ancestry.com: SAS SK 911: Stockholm, Sweden–Oslo, Norway–Prestwick, Scotland­–Gander, Newfoundland–New York, USA.

Chan Parker (Richardson), My Life In E-Flat (1993) 31.

 

December 4

Charlie Parker

Medical Arts Hospital, New York, NY.

December 4– mid December.

Parker is hospitalized for ulcers.

 

“Parker in Hosp; Ulcers,” Variety, December 6, 1950, 40: Parker is bedded at Medical Arts Hospital on Monday 4, for ulcers.

“Rhythm and Blues Notes,” Billboard, December 16, 1950, 81: Parker left the hospital last week.

Chan Parker (Richardson), My Life In E-Flat (1993) 31.

 

 

December 15

Ella Fitzgerald (voc) acc. by Ray Brown Trio

Probably Hank Jones (p); Ray Brown (b); unidentified (d).

Billy Taylor Quartet

Billy Taylor (p): unidentified (g); Joe Shulman (b); Jo Jones (d).

Bud Powell Trio?

Bud Powell (p); unidentified (b); unidentified (d).

Charlie Parker Quintet

Red Rodney (tp); Charlie Parker (as); Kenny Drew (p); Curly Russell (b); Art Blakey (d).

(Only December 22).

Charlie Parker with Strings

(Only December 23)

Terry Gibbs Quartet

Terry Gibbs (vib), Bill Triglia (p), Teddy Kotick (b), Charlie Smith (d).

(Probably from late December)

Birdland, New York, NY.

December 15–January 3, 1951.

 

Probably December 23, 1950:

WJZ broadcast: Symphony Sid. 12- 5:45 a.m. the Birdland transmission was from 3-4 a.m.

Charlie Parker Quintet

Red Rodney (tp); Charlie Parker (as); Kenny Drew (p); Curly Russell (b); Art Blakey (d).

Private recordings exist.

 

December 30.

WJZ broadcast: Symphony Sid. 12- 5:45 am. the Birdland transmission was from 3-4 a.m.

Bill Harris, Zoot Sims, Harry Edison, and Billy Taylor Trio

Terry Gibbs Quartet

Ella Fitzgerald

Private recordings exist.

 

“Goings on About Town: Birdland,” New Yorker, December 16, 1950, 8: Opening December 15: Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Brown Trio, Billy Taylor Quartet. Bud Powell Quartet.

“Goings on About Town: Birdland,” New Yorker, December 23, 1950, 4: Ella Fitzgerald, Billy Taylor.

“Goings on About Town: Birdland,” New Yorker, December 30, 1950, 4: Closing January 3: Ella Fitzgerald, Billy Taylor.

“Vibe Gibbs Exits B.G. to Front Own Orch,” Variety, November 29, 1950, 41: Gibbs Orchestra incl. Bill Triglia (p), Teddy Kotick (b), Charlie Smith (d) will open at Birdland after his Philadelphia shakedown.

Discographies show Parker WJZ broadcast recordings, usually dated December 9. Bob Garrity’s incomplete announcement mentions Charlie Parker and Billy Taylor. This indicates a date after December 15.

There is no doubt that the broadcast is from Birdland. In the opening announcement Symphony Sid states that this is the first Friday night/Saturday morning broadcast from Birdland running from 3-4 a.m. Symphony Sid's closing announcement, which is not clearly decipherable, indicates that this group was supposed to be at Birdland in the beginning of the new year.

“Rhythm and Blues Notes,” Billboard, December 16, 1950, 31: Parker will not be at work until an engagement in Philadelphia on December 24.

Parker may have been an added attraction on September 22, or a substitute for the Bud Powell Trio.

“Homebird,” Daily News, December 23, 1950, 19: Charlie Parker and his string group join Ella Fitzgerald tonight Bill Harris is the Monday feature.

“On the Radio,” New York Times, December 22, 1950, 30: 12:00-5:45 a.m.: Symphony Sid.

This broadcast is not included in Boris Rose’s Birdland list. Here the first recorded broadcast is from the next Saturday, December 30, and this does not include Charlie Parker.

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=501223

 

December 21

Charlie Parker

Flip Philips

Machito Orchestra

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

Commercial recordings for Mercury.

 

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=501221

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

 

December 25

Charlie Parker and His Band

Red Rodney (tp), Charlie Parker (as), Kenny Drew (p), Curly Russell (b), Phil Brown (d).

Rendezvous, Philadelphia, PA.

December 25–?.

Xmas Matinee 5–7 p.m. Nightly from 8 p.m.

Probably not fulfilled (see January 3, 1951).

 

“Rhythm and Blues Notes,” Billboard, December 16, 1950, 31: Starting Christmas night for a week.

Ad in Philadelphia Inquirer, December 22, 1950, 35: Coming Charlie Parker. Xmas Matinee 5–7 p.m. Monday.

Ad in Philadelphia Inquirer, December 24, 1950, 38; Xmas Matinee 5–7 p.m. Monday. Nightly from 8 p.m.

“It's Happening Here,” Philadelphia Inquirer, December 27, 1951, 31: Charlie Parker opened at the Rendezvous Monday.

Ad in Philadelphia Inquirer, December 27, 1950, 25: Nightly from 8 p.m.

Philadelphia Inquirer has no further ads for this engagement.

Ad in Philadelphia Inquirer, December 29, 1950, 11: The photos of night club stars do not show Charlie Parker.

“It's Happening Here,” Philadelphia Inquirer, January 1, 1951, 17: Billy Day opens at the Rendezvous tonight.

 

December 29

Down Beat 1950 Band Poll

Combo–Instrumental

       14. Charlie Parker

Alto Sax

1.     Charlie Parker

2.     Lee Konitz

3.     Johnny Hodges

4.     Willie Smith

5.     Art Pepper

6.     Charlie Parker

 

“Kenton, Shearing Poll Winners…” Down Beat, December 29, 1050, 1, 14.