Charlie Parker (born August 29, 1920 in Kansas City; died March 12, 1955) was an American alto saxophonist and a leading figure in the development of bebop.

Parker pioneered bebop and profoundly influenced subsequent jazz musicians; he frequently collaborated with Dizzy Gillespie and others. Reviews and historical records document key events such as the troubled Dial studio session in July 1946 (including the recording of "Lover Man") and his hospitalization at Camarillo. He struggled with heroin addiction; many important live and archival recordings exist (including Dean Benedetti's field recordings).

Charlie Parker is presented in the reviews as the central figure of bebop and one of jazz's most influential soloists. The coverage emphasizes the emotional intensity of the Dial sessions, tragic episodes (Camarillo, addiction) and important archival documents. Recommended listening and archival releases are highlighted.

For:Jazz enthusiasts, students, collectors, historians

 Embodiment of excess, depository of genius, plenipotentiary of the chirp, "Bird" blew himself into the sax, always.

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 Charlie Parker was the greatest musician in the history of modern jazz.

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 Charlie Parker can undoubtedly be considered among the most influential musicians in the history of jazz, as well as one of the greatest icons of a genre that until the mid-20th century (perhaps along with only delta blues) had represented the only "gift to humanity" purely made in the U.S.A from a musical perspective.

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