1938	Charlie Parker Chronology
	Created by Leif Bo Petersen	Last updated: December 6, 2022..
Date	Event	References/Further Details
January 10	Charlie Parker Charlie and Rebecca's son, Leon Francis Parker, is born.	C. Haddix, Bird -The Life and Music of Charlie Parker (2013), 27–28.
March early	Buster Smith Orchestra 7 pieces: Buster Smith, Charlie Parker (as); Odell West (ts); Emile Williams (p); Charles "Crook" Goodwin (g & voc); Billy Hadnott (b): Willie McWashington (d). The band was sometimes expanded to 12 pieces. Lucille's Paradise, Kansas City, MO. Early March–June. Charlie Parker joins the Smith band at Lucille’s.	Buster Smith in R. Reisner, Bird: The Legend of Charlie Parker (1962), 214-15: gives no exact dating. States that Parker was with him for two years. C. Haddix, Bird -The Life and Music of Charlie Parker (2013), 27–28: dates spring 1938 for Parker joining the band.
April 11	Count Basie and His Orchestra Including Jimmy Rushing (voc). Tommy Douglas’s Aristocrats of Rhythm Buster Smith Orchestra Probably including: Buster Smith, Charlie Parker (as); Odell West (ts); Emil Williams (p); Charles "Crook" Goodwin (g & voc); Billy Hadnott (b): Willie McWashington (d). Municipal Auditorium, Kansas City, MO. 8 p.m.–2 a.m. 9–10:30: Douglas and Smith orchestras, Homecoming Dance presented by Musicians Relief Association.	Ad in Plaindealer (Kansas City, KS), April 8, 3. “Count Basie to Play Homecoming Dance April 11th,” Plaindealer (Kansas City, KS), April 8, 3: Count Basie and His orchestra including Jimmy Rushing. “A Hot Welcome Home,” Kansas City Times, April 12, 1938, 11. C. Haddix, Bird -The Life and Music of Charlie Parker (2013), 30-31.
April 18?	Jay McShann Orchestra 7 pieces: Eugene Ramey replaced by Billy Smith (tp; Popeye Hale as, voc); Bob Mabane (ts, voc); ? (bars); Jay McShann (p); Allen Anderson replaced by Gene Ramey (b); Pete McShann replaced by Gus Johnson (d). Clair Martin’s Plaza Tavern (Kansas City, MO). April 18?–September mid. Charlie Parker was probably not in the band during this engagement.	“Young KC pianist Cuts Count Basie on Keyboard,,” Down Beat, June 1938, 21: McShann and 6 pieces at Martin’s. Bob Mabane and Popeye Hale (sax, voc). “Red & Isham Do Poorly in KC,” Down Beat, August 1938, 24: McShann’s 6-piece band had farewell performance at Martin’s the other night, but because of audience success the owner decided to prolong the engagement for an indefinite period. “White & Black Unions Fight for 80c,” *Down Beat, July 1938, 32: Gene Ramey in Stanley Dance, The World of Count Basie (1980), 270—72: Gene Ramey joined the band at the opening of this engagement on April 18 or 28. Tells that the band had 7 pieces. After about 3 months the band switched to Club Continental. Jay McShann in R. Reisner, Bird: The Legend of Charlie Parker (1975), 147: Parker started with him at the Plaza, Kansas City, in 1938. The band was there for 3 or 4 months. Parker's participation in the band probably refers to the band's engagement at the Plaza in November, C. Haddix, Bird -The Life and Music of Charlie Parker (2013), 34—35.
May ?	Vine Street Varieties Buster Smith Orchestra Lincoln Theater, Kansas City, MO. This show was broadcast by station WHB, Saturday afternoon 3–4 p.m.	C. Haddix, Bird -The Life and Music of Charlie Parker (2013), 31.
June 11	Buster Smith Orchestra Pla-Mor, Kansas City, MO.	Ad in Kansas City Star, June 11, 1938, 7: Tonight only: Buster Smith and his Colored All Stars.
June 12	Buster Smith Orchestra Wildwood Lakes, Kansas City, MO. June 12-17?.	“Crowds to Wildwood,” Kansas City Star, June 12, 1938, 3D: Buster Smith replacing Clayton Harburg and His Orchestra for a few days.
June late	Buster Smith Orchestra Orville Minor (tp); Buster Smith, Charlie Parker (as); Odell West (ts); Harry Taylor (p); Bill Smith (b): Bill Nolan (d, voc). Antler's Club, Kansas City, MO. June ?–early July.	“Red & Isham Do Poorly in KC,” Down Beat, August 1938, 24: gives the personnel. Buster Smith in R. Reisner, Bird: The Legend of Charlie Parker (1962), 214-15. C. Haddix, Bird —The Life and Music of Charlie Parker (2013), 31.
early July	Buster Smith Orchestra Buster Smith leaves for New York, and leaves the band to Odell West and Charlie Parker, but it quickly falls apart.	Buster Smith in R. Reisner, Bird: The Legend of Charlie Parker (1962), 214-15. C. Haddix, Bird –The Life and Music of Charlie Parker (2013), 32.
September 17	Jay McShann Band Probably Billy Smith (tp); Charlie Parker (as); Bob Mabane (ts, voc); William Scott (ts, arr); Jay McShann (p); Gene Ramey (b); Jesse Price (d, voc); Selma Long (voc). All Star Floor Show Club Continental, Kansas City, MO. September 17-October?. Charlie Parker may have replaced Edward Popeye Hale during this engagement.	Ad in Kansas City Star, September 17, 1938, 7. Ad in Kansas City Times, October 15, 1938, 26. J. Dorsey to Stage Rhythm Rodeo in K. C.” Down Beat, September 1938, 27: C. Haddix, Bird -The Life and Music of Charlie Parker (2013), 34–35: States that Parker did not join the band until October.
November 4	Jay McShann Orchestra Billy Smith (tp); Charlie Parker (as); Bob Mabane (ts, voc); William Scott (ts, arr); Jay McShann (p); Gene Ramey (b); Jesse Price (d, voc); Selma Long (voc). Clair Martin’s Plaza Tavern (Kansas City, MO). Early–late November.	Ad in Kansas City Star, November 4, 1938, 22: Jay McShann and his seven-piece band at the Plaza. Ad in Kansas City Star, November 11, 1938, 23: Jay McShann and his band at the Plaza. Ad in Kansas City Star, November 18, 1938, 28: Jay McShann and his band at the Plaza. “McShann and Lee Click,” Kansas City Journal, November 19, 1938, ?: gives the McShann personnel.
November	Jam sessions Probably including: Billy Smith (tp); Charlie Parker (as); Bob Mabane (ts, voc); William Scott (ts); Jay McShann (p); Gene Ramey (b); Jesse Price (d, voc); Kangaroo, Kansas City, MO. Thursday afternoon jam sessions organized by students from the University of Kansas City.	C. Haddix: “Bird at the Jelly Joint,” Jam, August/September 2015, 6–8, 21.
November 11	Jay McShann Orchestra Harlan Leonard's Rockets Gold Crown Tap Room, Kansas City, MO. Band Battle.	Ad in Kansas City Call, November ?, 1938. “Harlan Leonard’s Band to Be Feted at Gold Crown,” Kansas City Call, November ?, 1938.
November late?	Harlan Leonard's Rockets William Smith (tp); Harlan Leonard (as & dir); Charlie Parker (as); Odell West (ts); Rozell Claxton (p), Winston Williams (b); Jesse Price (d). Charlie Parker probably joined Harlan Leonard in late November.	C. Haddix, Bird -The Life and Music of Charlie Parker (2013), 36–37.
December mid	Vine Street Varieties Jesse Price Band Sleepy Tomlin (tp); Charlie Parker (as); Odell West (ts); Rozell Claxton (p), Winston Williams (b); Jesse Price (d & dir). Lincoln Theater, Kansas City, MO. Mid December. Station WHB show.	C. Haddix, Bird -The Life and Music of Charlie Parker (2013), 36–37.
December mid	Vine Street Varieties Harlan Leonard's Rockets Lincoln Theater, Kansas City, MO. Station WHB show.	C. Haddix, Bird -The Life and Music of Charlie Parker (2013), 36–37.
December 25	Harlan Leonard's Rockets 12 pieces including Winston Williams (b), Charlie Parker (as), Darwin Jones (voc) and James Ross (voc). Dreamland Hall, Kansas City, MO. 9–2 am. Christmas Dance.	Ad in Kansas City Call, December 23, 1948; ?.