JAZZ @ LINCOLN CENTER CHARLIE PARKER WITH STRINGS CONCERT

Here’s an episode of NPR’s Jazz Night In America called “Bird Lives! A Charlie Parker Centennial, With Strings Attached.” The main musical focus of the program is a concert from Jazz @ Lincoln Center featuring the Bird with Strings material played live with Charles McPherson, Wes Anderson and Vince Gardner as featured soloists. Along with the usual chestnuts the concert repertoire includes 2 pieces that Bird commissioned for the ensemble but never recorded: George Russell’s “Ezz-thetic,” and John Lewis’ “Scootin’.”

WANT TO HAVE YOUR OWN D.I.Y. BIRD WITH STRINGS CONCERT?

You can buy complete accurate arrangements taken from the original scores here.

JAZZ ALTOISTS DISCUSS CHARLIE PARKER

The London Jazz News published a collection of reflections on Charlie Parker by several contemporary jazz alto saxophonists. The short essays range from perfunctory and self-promotive to beautifully heartfelt.

LEWIS PORTER DISCUSSES CHARIE PARKER

Jazz pianist, scholar and outstanding teacher Lewis Porter is offering a presentation on Bird’s stylistic development that’s part of the Berklee School of Music series called “Bird Lives! – Charlie Parker Centennial Celebration.” Says Porter, “The presentation will take place on Thursday, 10/08/2020 from 8:00-9:30PM, via Zoom and will be broadcast via Facebook Live through the Berklee Harmony and Jazz Composition Facebook page.” More info at his website, lewisporter.com.

BIRD FLASHES ACROSS THE RADAR OF THE MAINSTREAM PRESS

You know, the centennial and all that. Here’s the New York Times, here’s the New Yorker.