Today, on what would have been Charlie Parker’s 104th birthday, Verve Records has announced the release of Bird in Kansas City, a collection of rare Charlie Parker recordings recently unearthed, out on October 25.
The collection chronicles Parker’s evolution from burgeoning saxophonist with the Jay McShann Band to becoming the “Master of Jazz Improvisation” who would change the genre forever. A love letter to the home he would never return to, Bird in Kansas City deals with themes of strong family ties, friendships and Parker’s complicated relationship to his hometown riddle with its racial segregation. The recordings took place privately at the home of Parker’s friend Phil Baxter and at the Vic Damon studio during Parker’s visits back home between 1941-1951.
The first single from the collection, a rendition of British Big Band leader Ray Noble’s “Cherokee”, is available now.
Bird in Kansas City comes out October 25 via Verve Records and will be available on CD ,Vinyl and all streaming platforms.
Charlie Parker - Cherokee (Phil Baxter Version)
Bird in Kansas City by Charlie Parker
Track Listing:
A1. Bird Song #1 (Charlie Parker)
A2. Bird Song #2 (Charlie Parker)
A3. Bird Song #3 (Charlie Parker)
A4. Cherokee — Phil Baxter version (Ray Noble)
A5. Body and Soul — Phil Baxter version (Johnny Green–Edward Heyman–Robert Sour–Frank Eyton)
A6. Honeysuckle Rose (Fats Waller–Andy Razaf)
A7. Perdido (Juan Tizol)
Personnel: Charlie Parker (alto sax); unknown (bass); unknown (drums)
Recorded: July 1951 at the home of Phil Baxter in Kansas City, MO
B1. Cherokee — Vic Damon version (Ray Noble)
B2. My Heart Tells Me (Harry Warren–Mack Gordon)
B3. I Found a New Baby (Jack Palmer–Spencer Williams)
B4. Body and Soul — Vic Damon version (Johnny Green–Edward Heyman–Robert Sour–Frank Eyton)
Charlie Parker (alto sax); Efferge Ware (guitar); Edward “Little Phil” Phillips (drums)
Recorded probably June 1944 at Vic Damon’s Transcription Studios in Kansas City, MO.
B5. Margie (Con Conrad–J. Russell Robinson–Benny Davis)
B6. I’m Getting Sentimental Over You (George Bassman–Ned Washington)
Jay McShann and His Orchestra
Recorded: February 6, 1941
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