Podcast: Charlie Parker Part Three, Bird in L.A., 1945 and 1946

This week’s theme: Bird in Los Angeles, 1945 and 1946, culminating with the famous Lover Man session and his subsequent incarceration at Camarillo State Hospital. I’m not able to attach a direct link to the show for now, but you can access it from the WTBR-FM website. Here’s the link: Charlie Parker Part 3: Bird in LA, 1945 and 1956. Featured artists include Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Milt Jackson, Al Haig, Stan Levey, Slim Gaillard, Jack McVea, Lucky Thompson, Dodo Marmarosa, Zutty Singleton, Roy Porter, George Handy, Arvin Garrison, Vic McMillan, Howard McGhee, Jimmy Bunn, Bob Kestersoninclude Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Milt Jackson, Al Haig, Stan Levey, Slim Gaillard, Jack McVea, Lucky Thompson, Dodo Marmarosa, Zutty Singleton, Roy Porter, George Handy, Arvin Garrison, Vic McMillan, Howard McGhee, Jimmy Bunn, Bob Kesterson, and many more.

“Charlie Yardbirdaronee”

 

My friend Dan called the other day. He’d just bought a copy of “Slim’s Jam”, the original 78 on the Bel-Tone label, featuring one of Charlie Parker’s early recorded solos recorded in December 1945 when he was in Los Angeles. Dan paid 40 bucks on eBay for the 78. I don’t have a copy of the 78, but I do have the cut on the original Savoy 12-inch LP, The Genius of Charlie Parker, Savoy MG-12014, so I put it on. This is a classic, of course, featuring Slim Gaillard introducing each of the musicians in his own inimitable style: “Here comes Zutty in the door with his brushes . . . This is a fun, Jack McVouty and his tenor.” And, inevitably, “Charlie Yardbirdaroonee,” who, as we soon learn, was “ havin’ a little reed trouble.”

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