Parker solo in "Ornithology". These 30 seconds are a masterful and succinct summary of Bird's style: dizzyingly quick sequence of beautiful key modulations, very fast playing, melodic line drawing from the higher intervals of each chord, unexpected rhythmic changes which however are always impeccably balanced and "just right", and of course expressive tone.

   "Lester Leaps In" [550 K].

   Here's a link to an excellent collection of short [streamed] takes by Bird, all from 1945 - 1946 (though the blurb says 1946 - 1949). These are on an Amazon.com page that announces a new 2 CD set of early Bird. Includes "Shaw 'Nuff" and "Groovin' High".    Click here.

   Listen to the samples on Ken Burns JAZZ Collection: Charlie Parker at Amazon.com. Includes "Hot House" and "KoKo".    Click here.

Hilbert Tu - Resume

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