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August 28, 2022

Almanac of Story Tellers: Charlie Parker

Every day brings a new story.  And each day contributes to story telling -- in prose and in poetry, in art and in music, on the stage, on the screen, and, of course, in books

Today is the story of Aug. 29th
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    It is the 241st day of the year, leaving 124 days remaining in 2022.
 
    On this date in 1920, the jazz musician Charlie Parker was born.


    He told his stories on his saxophone, creating new ways to play music on the instrument, using fast tempos and distinctive harmonies. He was known for his clean and sweet tones.

    During his years playing, he was nicknamed Yardbird, and later, Bird. He personified the jazz musician as an artist rather than an entertainer.

    He is credited with originating and perfecting bebop, a form of jazz known for its quick tempos, improvisation, individuality, and complex harmonies and chord progressions.
  
    Parker learned many of his stylistic breakthroughs during impromptu jam sessions in the late 1930s in New York, often influenced by the swing music popular at the time. He also worked with trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, who influenced his creation of bebop. The pair formed what is called the first bebop ensemble in 1944.

    Parker later played with Miles Davis, and performed at Carnegie Hall in New York and Massey Hall in Toronto. Many of his recordings are in the Grammy Hall of Fame.

    Among Parker's more famous recordings are Embraceable You, Night in Tunisia, Ornithology (connected with his nickname), and Charlie Parker With Strings.

    Parker died in 1955.    

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