Session details: Storyville (September 22, 1953)

Charlie Parker session details

September 22, 1953 (5 items; TT = 21:28)

Storyville, Boston MA

WHDH-AM radio broadcast (B)

Show chatter

Charlie Parker (as); Herb Pomeroy (tpt); Sir Charles Thompson (p); Jimmy Woode (b); Kenny Clarke (d); John McLellan (ann)

1	Now's the Time (C. Parker)	4:14
	John McLellan voiceover (0:01-0:26): "Tonight we bring you the Charlie Parker Quintet, featuring Sir Charles Thompson on piano, Herb Pomeroy, trumpet, Jimmy Woode, bass, Kenny Clarke, drums, and the alto saxophone of Charlie Parker. During these Tuesday night broadcasts we try to bring you the artists that appear at Storyville at their relaxed best. Then too, we'd like you to feel that you've just walked in, you've been seated at the table, and now you're ready to listen to Charlie Parker..."
2	Don't Blame Me (D. Fields-J. McHugh)	4:57
	Parker plays the "Country Gardens" tag (4:50-4:55)
3	Dancing on the Ceiling (incomplete) (R. Rodgers-L. Hart)	2:27
4	Cool Blues (C. Parker)	4:47
5	Groovin' High (incomplete) (D. Gillespie-F. Paparelli)	5:03
	John McLellan voiceover (4:06-4:43): "For the past 25 minutes you've been listening to the Charlie Parker Quintet direct from George Wein's Storyville, at the Copely Square Hotel in Boston. Sir Charles Thompson was at the piano, Herb Pomeroy on trumpet, Jimmy Woode, bass, Kenny Clarke, drums, and on alto saxophone, Charlie Parker. Once again may I remind you that the Charlie Parker Quintet will be here through Sunday night, to be followed by Billie Holiday. In weeks to come you'll hear Louis Armstrong, Josh White, and many others. Now, until Saturday evening at seven o'clock, when I'll be bringing you Music from the Top Shelf, this is John McLellan saying good night from Storyville."


1 Now's the Time 12" LP: Blue Note BT 85108 CD: Blue Note CDP 85108, Frémeaux & Associés FA 1343
2 Don't Blame Me 12" LP: Blue Note BT 85108 CD: Blue Note CDP 85108, Frémeaux & Associés FA 1343
3 Dancing on the Ceiling (incomplete) 12" LP: Blue Note BT 85108 CD: Blue Note CDP 85108, Frémeaux & Associés FA 1343
4 Cool Blues 12" LP: Blue Note BT 85108 CD: Blue Note CDP 85108, Frémeaux & Associés FA 1343
5 Groovin' High (incomplete) 12" LP: Blue Note BT 85108 CD: Blue Note CDP 85108, Frémeaux & Associés FA 1343

The master tape of "Dancing on the Ceiling" is incomplete (including only Thompson's solo and the out chorus). According to the liner notes, "WHDH was owned by The Boston Herald-Traveller and the ownership was quite conservative. Boston, a very political town, had a primary election that day and the Herald had endorsed a slate of candidates. Despite the fact that the next newscast was only a few minutes away, station management had no hesitation about interrupting Charlie Parker to describe the election results!"

Parker was booked at Boston venues on the following dates during this period: April 12, 1951, Christy's Tavern, Framingham; May 28-June 3, 1951: Hi-Hat Club; March 3-9, 1952, Hi-Hat Club; December 8-14, 1952: Hi-Hat Club; March 9-15, 1953: Storyville Club; June 8-14, 1953: Hi-Hat Club; September 21-27, 1953: Storyville Club; October 25, 1953: Jordan Hall (Parker with Strings); January 18-24, 1954: Hi-Hat Club; February 9, 1954: Worcester Memorial Auditorium, Worcester (Festival of Modern American Jazz -- thanks to Jon Foley for identifying the venue); September 26, 1954: Boston Arena (Birdland Stars of 1954).