1937	Charlie Parker Chronology
	Created by Leif Bo Petersen	Last updated: December 15, 2024.
Date	Event	References/Further Details
First half	Charlie Parker Charlie Parker is in the process of recovering after the automobile accident in November 1936. During this convalescence Parker gets heroin prescribed by a doctor to relieve pains. He becomes addicted.	C. Haddix, Bird -The Life and Music of Charlie Parker (2013), 24–25.
April 17	George E. Lee and His Orchestra Buster Smith (as); Pete Johnson (p); Efferge Ware (g); Thurber Jay (b); George E. Lee (voc). Musser's Ozark Resort, Eldon, MO. April 17– early August. Charlie Parker may not have participated until June. He uses this engagement to practice intensively.	Ad in Jefferson City Post-Tribune (MO), April 16, 1937, 12: The Ozarks Newest and Most Modern Ballroom Opens Saturday (17). Ad in Kansas City Star (MO), August 14, 1937, 8: George E. Lee and his Orchestra at Jockey Club. Back from 6 month’s engagement in the Ozarks. Ad in Jefferson City Post-Tribune (MO), March 7, 1937, 14: George E. Lee and His Orchestra Tuesday night (March 9). “K. C. Spots Should Swing for Mess of Corn!,” Down Beat, April 1937, 27: gives personnel. Jay McShann in R. Reisner, Bird: The Legend of Charlie Parker (1962), 147. Gene Ramey in R. Reisner, Bird: The Legend of Charlie Parker (1962), 186. C. Haddix, Bird -The Life and Music of Charlie Parker (2013), 25–26: states that Parker was in this engagement from June to September.
September	Jam session Bar-Le-Duc, Kansas City, MO. Jay McShann attends jam session at Barley Duke and hears Charlie Parker, who impresses him. Parker tells him that he just has been with George E. Lee in the Ozarks, in order "to woodshed."	Jay McShann in B. O'Connor, "It’s Still a Gas Playing in Kansas City," JAM Magazine, February/March 1997. C. Haddix, Bird -The Life and Music of Charlie Parker (2013), 33.
Autumn	Charlie Parker Conflicts between Charlie and Rebecca concerning other women and drug use.	C. Haddix, Bird -The Life and Music of Charlie Parker (2013), 26.
Autumn?	Charlie Parker Charlie Parker has a brawl with a taxi driver over a bill ($10). He is arrested for stabbing the driver with a knife. His mother states that he was out after one day. Parker later tells that he was for held in 22 days.	Addie Parker in R. Reisner, Bird: The Legend of Charlie Parker (1962), 163. M. Levin and J. S. Wilson, "No Bop Roots in Jazz," Down Beat, September 9, 1949. Reprinted in C. Woideck (ed.), The Charlie Parker Companion (1998), 75: Dates this 1937.
Autumn?	Charlie Parker Tutty’s Mayfair Club, Kansas City, MO. Charlie Parker works here for a while. He is using drugs and is very erratic about showing up,	Tutty Clarkin in R. Reisner, Bird: The Legend of Charlie Parker (1962), 67: dates 1937.
October	Tommy Douglas Orchestra 12 pieces including Tommy Douglas (cl, ts); Charlie Parker (as). Antler’s Club, Kansas City, MO. October 1937. Reduced to 7 pieces in this period.	Ad in Kansas City Star, October 8, 1937, 31: Tommy Douglas playing nightly. Ad in Kansas City Star, October 16, 3, 1937, 31: Tommy Douglas playing nightly. Tommy Douglas in R. Reisner, Bird: The Legend of Charlie Parker (1962), 82–83: Parker joined the band when it was cut down to 7 pieces. Buster Smith in R. Reisner, Bird: The Legend of Charlie Parker (1962), 213. C. Haddix, Bird -The Life and Music of Charlie Parker (2013), 27: Haddix has Amos ‘n’ Andy’s Club.