Charlie “Yardbird” Parker was born August 29, 1920 in Kansas City, Kansas. Charlie Parker was one of the most influential saxophonists and jazz players of the 1940’s. Parker played with many different bands and toured a lot to places like New York and Chicago. This continued until he made his first recording with the McShann orchestra.

Charlie played with the McShann orchestra for four years while also performing in jam sessions in Harlem. He began to catch the eye of other jazz artists like Dizzy Gillespie and Thelonious Monk. In 1945, Parker led his own group and even worked with Gillespie on a few of his songs. That is until Charlie had a nervous breakdown and was confined at a hospital till 1947. After being released, Charlie continued to tour until 1955. His last performance was at a nightclub that was named “Birdland” after him. A week later, Charlie had died.

Charlie “Yardbird” Parker was everything I could imagine a musician to be. Being a musician myself and having toured a little bit, I was not surprised to read about his lifestyle. He was an amazing musician and led a life that most people dream of.