(Kansas City USA)
2020 IS THE CHARLIE PARKER CENTENNIAL
There are already quite a number of musical projects commemorating the fact that 2020 is the centennial year of the birth of CHARLIE PARKER (who was born on August 29, 1920 in Kansas City, Kansas).
One particular recording project by Bobby Watson, Vincent Herring, and Gary Bartz (“Bird at 100” Smoke Sessions Records, released November 2019) especially stands out for its importance in acknowledging Bird’s impact, influence and legacy.
| “Bird at 100” (Smoke Sessions Records)
What is also positively striking about this recording is that it isn’t an attempt to simply play this music like Parker did or would.
– Jazz Artistry Now
It’s a modernly fresh treatment of the music, yet invokes the spirit of “Bird” on each tune.
– Jazz Artistry Now
And what a great band, all six of the musicians performing are established post-bop voices with established careers of note.
– Jazz Artistry Now
LISTEN
| “Bird at 100” (Smoke Sessions Records)
“Three grand masters of the alto saxophone and Bird disciples who grew into their own respective styles evoke the legacy and spirit of CHARLIE PARKER. David Kikoski, Yasushi Nakamura, and Carl Allen are brilliant as well! And it’s recorded live. Highly recommended! …”
– Jazz Artistry Now
STATE OF THE ART OF JAZZ ARTISTRY NOW
This “tipping point” has been here for a while. Maestro David Binney validates it in this Jazz Times article. He concludes:
“In this age, we musicians need to do anything we can to make a living, and ninety-nine percent of us will have to do a wide variety of things. So be aware of all the options, and remember: We can do this from anywhere.”
(QUOTE: David Binney from Jazz Times interview/article)