Charlie Parker ( Age 20) ~ Lady Be Good

Recorded: KFBI Studio, Wichita, KS December 2, 1940

Personnel:
Jay McShann Orchestra Featuring Charlie Parker

Charlie Parker - Alto Sax
Buddy Anderson - Trumpet
Orville Minor - Trumpet
Bob Gould - Trombone /Violin
Bob Mabane - Tenor Sax
Jay McShann - Piano
Gene Ramey - Bass
Gus Johnson - Drums

" In the summer of 1940 the Jay McShann Orchestra left Kansas City for its first road trip through Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma. In the fall of that year the band found itself at liberty one weekend in Wichita. There, McShann he was engaged by an old friend. Fred Higginson, manager of radio station KFBI, to record a series of transcriptions. In 1940 this was something of a novelty. Few bands, certainly none in the unknown, or territorial category, had made radio transcriptions. On December 2, 1940, a Monday, an octet formed out of the McShann orchestra recorded five songs that would not be released commercially until the 1970s.
That Charlie Parker, at age 20, was the inspiration of the Jay McShann Orchestra, and its best soloist, is made clear by the KFBI transcriptions, and the song Lady Be Good in particular.
Lady Be Good had been a standard vehicle for Lester Young. It was one of the records Charlie had taken with him to the Ozarks, worn to the bottom of the grooves and memorized note for note. As one listens to the Wichita Lady Be Good, it is clear that Charlie has hatched from the Lestorian egg.
This Lady Be Good is Lester, Lester in the disguise of a sedulous imitator, and on alto saxophone. When the tape is played at half speed, so that the register of the alto is lowered to that of the tenor, it is impossible to distinguish master from disciple. One hears the whole inventory of Lestorian devices...the rise and fall of the melodic line, and the effortless swing. The Wichita transcriptions are perhaps the most revealing record left by a jazz musician of his origin, inspiration, models and apprenticeship " .

Ross Russell
Bird Lives !
The High Life And Hard Times Of Charlie (Yardbird) Parker

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[Mrchaseruk]

A superb playlist - many thanks Jack for recalling so many old favorites, and introducing a surprising number of quality surprises. You have really hit the button, in my judgment!

Is there really a "commentary" from you somewhere or is Hollerhagen in fact referring to Ross Russell's perceptive comments, which you have had the good sense to quote? It will probably take me the rest of (several) days to enjoy the remaining selections you have skillfully chosen, and we are all of us indebted to you.

[JckDupp]

@Mrchaseruk

You're too kind. Yes, Hollerhagen is referring to Ross Russell's insightful passage.

[mtibberon]

Fantastic! I never heard this before! It's amazing to hear Bird play like Pres.

[chronzie99]

I am currently reading the book and have just gotten to the part quoted in the description. I thought "hey, why not look for these recordings on Youtube?" thank you for uploading!

[mickhutchinson]

Brilliant

[dogadder]

@mtibberon but there's an alto solo in the middle that's definitely Bird playing. So what do we know about the tenor player, who just solos at the beginning BTW?

[impala327]

i dig his "version" of Young. his rythmn has snap!

[mjazzguitar]

@AlergicToStupidity

Sometimes I feel the same way. Back in the 70s when I first discovered Bird I'd stay up late having a few smokes, listening to his records, going back in time.

[LENIN990]

thanks!!!

[mystery666ish]

MANOOOOOO Q FODAAAA AMEIIIII PQP

[sonopaolotorre]

grazie!

[kevinherbert]

This why YouToob rox...thanx 4 this