I'm a music student-our regiment is 6 hours a day, at a conservatory level. 11 hours...a...day....is commitment beyond anything at a college level. This man's love for his craft is beyond comprehension . Charlie, say hi to my dad for me in heaven. I know you are both there.
I can hear the age in Mr. Parker's voice, yet he passed away at only 34... it's hard to imagine what he had to live through in those days. Thank you for posting this interview, it is great.
For those who are totally unaware of who the interviewer is......it is the great Paul Desmond himself. Another giant of the alto sax,who while in seeming awe of Bird... developed his own style in a completely original manner. In this interview,he sounds a little nervous talking to Parker. But I'm sure he cherished his meeting with him,like a little kid meeting his favorite pro sports hero. I believe Parker and Desmond are in the top 10 all time modern jazz alto players. You can hear the respect Paul had for Bird,and Bird seems totally at ease with Desmond. A truly informative and historical interview..preserved for all of us on CZcams.
Where the hell has that been hidden. I’ve just ordered Miles’ autobiography. I dont think Miles was that comfortable with bebop. But Miles really knew jazz in a critical way. I love Bird. Lee Konitz too who emerged at the same time formulating a different approach to solo construction otherwise Lee thought he’d get sucked into Bird’s orbit. Everyone mimicked Bird. Lee wanted to avoid that. We can forget how influential Lester Young was and Lee came from Prez. But Bird was so pure. The beauty and tragedy and fun or mischief in his playing. Bird lives.
Charlie is considered the greatest saxophone musician, but yet he talks about studying in Paris. No matter how much of a "Master" you are, there is always more to learn. A true genius is someone who is humble and always willing to learn their craft.
I always admired Charlie Parker as a musician. This interview really makes me admire him as a human being. Obviously his life isn't exactly one that should be emulated, but he loved his work so, so much and was so dedicated to it. It also does a lot to demonstrate how conscious his creative decisions were.
I always heard a lot about Charlie "Bird" Parker from the books and other jazz musicians, I never thought I would hear him talking so beautifully about music and his experiences as a musician. Paul Desmond has done a great job for this legendary interview, I'm sure he foresaw the value it would bring in future for his fans, old and young, musicians and non-musicians. One of my favorites from his many compositions is "Parker Mood." I heard that he was always a good speaker, full of knowledge, very humble, and very encouraging to the young musicians and the lover of all. One can hear that from the tone of his voice and how he answers the interview questions. I loved both men;s saxophone tones and improvisational ideas and originality and this interview is like a coincidence for me. Thanks.
It’s amazing to hear his voice , we know the voice of his horn . He was such a modest man when you consider what he achieved in music , it’s a tragic he died so young
Hearing the legend talking, not playing, for the first time here ...for me, is mind blowing. One builds up a 'picture personality' about anyone -banal or genius, from whatever they do for a living or what art form they've taken up; and that becomes a sort of template... buried within one's psyche. So when a moment like this comes along, out of the blue -no one said 'hey Mick -you ought to listen to the Charlie Parker interview'..... After 50 years listening to only his music, so eloquent..
I've spent so much of my life dedicated to studying Parker's music. I'm sitting here in tears, hearing his voice for the first time. Thank you so much for this. His humility in this interview, whether it be drug-driven or not, is astonishing.
This is the real Charlie Parker: articulate, intelligent, a sophisticated human being who was a professional in every way.
I'm a music student-our regiment is 6 hours a day, at a conservatory level. 11 hours...a...day....is commitment beyond anything at a college level. This man's love for his craft is beyond comprehension . Charlie, say hi to my dad for me in heaven. I know you are both there.
I can hear the age in Mr. Parker's voice, yet he passed away at only 34... it's hard to imagine what he had to live through in those days. Thank you for posting this interview, it is great.
For those who are totally unaware of who the interviewer is......it is the great Paul Desmond himself. Another giant of the alto sax,who while in seeming awe of Bird... developed his own style in a completely original manner. In this interview,he sounds a little nervous talking to Parker. But I'm sure he cherished his meeting with him,like a little kid meeting his favorite pro sports hero. I believe Parker and Desmond are in the top 10 all time modern jazz alto players. You can hear the respect Paul had for Bird,and Bird seems totally at ease with Desmond. A truly informative and historical interview..preserved for all of us on CZcams.
To me this interview is the greatest post ever put on CZcams.
“I want to study more. I’m not quite through yet.” He died about a year later at 35. Words can’t express what was lost...
Some youngster would come along........John Coltrane.
Charlie Parker had the voice of silk! What a beautiful baritone voice! Today, he'd be doing voice overs on commercials.
Where the hell has that been hidden. I’ve just ordered Miles’ autobiography. I dont think Miles was that comfortable with bebop. But Miles really knew jazz in a critical way. I love Bird. Lee Konitz too who emerged at the same time formulating a different approach to solo construction otherwise Lee thought he’d get sucked into Bird’s orbit. Everyone mimicked Bird. Lee wanted to avoid that. We can forget how influential Lester Young was and Lee came from Prez. But Bird was so pure. The beauty and tragedy and fun or mischief in his playing. Bird lives.
Charlie is considered the greatest saxophone musician, but yet he talks about studying in Paris. No matter how much of a "Master" you are, there is always more to learn. A true genius is someone who is humble and always willing to learn their craft.
I always admired Charlie Parker as a musician. This interview really makes me admire him as a human being. Obviously his life isn't exactly one that should be emulated, but he loved his work so, so much and was so dedicated to it. It also does a lot to demonstrate how conscious his creative decisions were.
This is bone chilling. Hard to believe someone so great could ever exist
I always heard a lot about Charlie "Bird" Parker from the books and other jazz musicians, I never thought I would hear him talking so beautifully about music and his experiences as a musician. Paul Desmond has done a great job for this legendary interview, I'm sure he foresaw the value it would bring in future for his fans, old and young, musicians and non-musicians. One of my favorites from his many compositions is "Parker Mood." I heard that he was always a good speaker, full of knowledge, very humble, and very encouraging to the young musicians and the lover of all. One can hear that from the tone of his voice and how he answers the interview questions. I loved both men;s saxophone tones and improvisational ideas and originality and this interview is like a coincidence for me. Thanks.
I still have my cassette tape recording of this I taped off the air via WKCR in the 70's
It’s amazing to hear his voice , we know the voice of his horn . He was such a modest man when you consider what he achieved in music , it’s a tragic he died so young
how could anyone hate someone who plays so beautifully and originally?
Pure gold here. Fantastic!
such a deep, mellifluous speaking voice. i could listen to bird speak all day.
Hearing the legend talking, not playing, for the first time here ...for me, is mind blowing. One builds up a 'picture personality' about anyone -banal or genius, from whatever they do for a living or what art form they've taken up; and that becomes a sort of template... buried within one's psyche.
So when a moment like this comes along, out of the blue -no one said 'hey Mick -you ought to listen to the Charlie Parker interview'..... After 50 years listening to only his music, so eloquent..
I've spent so much of my life dedicated to studying Parker's music. I'm sitting here in tears, hearing his voice for the first time. Thank you so much for this. His humility in this interview, whether it be drug-driven or not, is astonishing.