« It is indeed fascinating » by Blues & Rhythm

[…] Alto sax player Charlie’ (Yard)Bird’ Parker is one of the most influential jazzmen of all time, and in the timespan covered by the fifth volume in Frémeaux’s comprehensive (almost – the booklet gives good reasons for an occasional omission, though true completists may still have cause for complaint) he was firmly in bebop mode, though his blues playing – remember he honed his playing with Jay McShann’s Orchestra – is still in evidence on some tracks. With sideman such as trumpeters Miles Davis (most often), Fats Navarro, and Dizzy Gillepsie, pianists John Lawis and Lennie Tristano and regular Drummer Max Roach, among others, this is cerebral music – ‘modern progessive jazz’ as symphony Sid, the announcer of the Royal Roost radio Broadcast of Christmas Day 1948 calls it. However, there are also two titles recorded with Machito And His Afro-Cuban Orchestra, which are fine examples of ‘cubop’ though notable mainly for Bird’s contributions and the percussion section. Of course, anyone interested in jazz should have some Parker in their collection – this set, with its numerous false starts and radio broadcasts gives perhaps a more in-depth portrait than some day feel they need, but it is indeed fascinating. Norman DARWEN – BLUES & RHYTHM

Produits associés

Charlie Parker - Intégrale Vol 5

PARKER’S MOOD 1947-1949