1953	Charlie Parker Chronology
	Created by Leif Bo Petersen	Last Update: December 15, 2024.
Date	Event	References/Further Details
January	Charlie Parker Release of Mercury 11095 10’2 78 rpm. record. Recorded August 8, 1951 Charlie Parker and His Orchestra Mercury 11095 A Back Home Blues Mercury 11095 B Lover Man	“Advance Record Releases: Hot Jazz,” Billboard, January 24, 1953, 78.
January early	Charlie Parker Le Downbeat, New York, NY.	“Goings on About Town,” New Yorker, January 10, 1953, 6: “The boys here really play for keeps. Among them are Milt Jackson, Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, Don Abney, Chuck Wayne, and Candido.” Parker is not mentioned in this venue’s bills in the weeks before or after. Considering that Parker had not yet regained his Cabaret Card, this cannot have been a regular engagement.
January mid	Charlie Parker Band Kai Winding (tb); Charlie Parker (as); Zoot Sims (ts); Horace Silver (p); George Duvivier (b); Ed Shaughnessy (d). Lampliter, Valley Stream, NY.	“Jazz Notes,” Nassau Daily-Star, January 17, 11.
January 18	Charlie Parker Band Kai Winding (tb); Charlie Parker (as); Zoot Sims (ts); Horace Silver (p); George Duvivier (b); Ed Shaughnessy (d). Billy Taylor Trio Club "33". Hampstead, NH. 4 pm.	“Jazz Notes,” Nassau Daily-Star, January 17, 11. Ad in Nassau Daily-Star, January 17, 11.
January 27	Charlie Parker Times Square Hotel, Rochester, NY. Opening January 27. Probably for a week.	K. Vail, Bird’s Diary (1996), 118: No source is given.
January 30	Miles Davis Sextet Miles Davis (tp); Charlie Parker, Sonny Rollins (ts); Walter Bishop Jr. (p); Percy Heath (b); Philly Joe Jones (d). WOR Studio, New York, NY. Commercial recordings for Prestige.	https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=530130
February	Metronome All Stars Alto Sax 1. Charlie Parker 2. Lee Konitz 3 Art Pepper 4. Johnny Hodges 5. Willie Smith	”Woody, Shearing win Poll,” Metronome, February 1953, 14–17.
February early	Charlie Parker Release of Jam Session # 1 and # 2 Mercury MG C-601 and 602 10" 33 rpm. LPs Mercury MG C-601 A Jam Blues Mercury MG C-601 B Ballad Medley MG C-602 A What Is This Thing Called Love MG C-602 B Funky Blues	Mercury ad, Billboard, February 7, 1953, 38: lists these albums. “Album and LP Reviews: Jazz,” Billboard, March 7, 1953, 43: rating: 74 (good) for both albums. “Saxists Galore Star on Granz’ New jam Session,” Down Beat, March 11, 14: Albums rating: 5 stars (excellent). “Record Reviews,” Metronome, May 1953, 26: Jam Blues: B (fairly good); Ballad Medley: A- (excellent); What Is This Thing Called Love: B+ very good).; Funky Blues: B+ (very good).
February 1	Concert Charlie Parker Stan Getz Bud Powell Trio Bud Powell (p); Tommy Potter (b); Roy Haynes (d). Johnny Smith & His Trio Battle of the Saxes Parker, Getz, and Spence Sinatra. Howard Theatre, Washington, DC. (January 31 after midnight). Willis Conover (prod). Jazz at Midnite.	Ad in Washington Afro-American., January 27, 7. According to persons interviewed by Phil Schaap, Parker did not show up.
February 5	Charlie Parker Charlie Parker (as); Brew Moore (ts); Paul Bley (p); Dick Garcia (g); Neil Michaud (b); Ted Paskert (d). CBC Studio, Montreal, Canada. CBC TV program: Jazz Workshop. Don Cameron (mc).	M. Miller, Cool Blues: Charlie Parker in Canada. 1953. (1990) Here quoted from C. Haddix, The Life and Music of Charlie Parker (2013), 145 and 177 note 30 and 31. https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=530205
February 7	Charlie Parker All Stars Charlie Parker (as); Valdo Williams (p); Steep Wade (p); Dick Garcia (g); Hal Gaylor (b); Bob Rudd (b); Billy Graham (d); Bobby Malloy (d). Chez Parée, Montreal, Canada. Don Cameron (mc). Private tape recordings exist.	M. Miller, Charlie Parker in Canada. 1953. (1990) Here quoted from C. Haddix, The Life and Music of Charlie Parker (2013), 146 and 177 note 34. https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=530207
February 13	Art Tatum Trio Art Tatum (p); Slam Stewart (b); Everett Barksdale (g). Stan Getz Trio Bill Harris-Chubby Jackson Herd Machito Orchestra Including Charlie Parker and Buddy Rich. Joe Loco Band Bandbox, New York, NY. February 13-27. February 16 (Sunday, February 15, after midnight): WMGM broadcast: 12–2:30 am.: Jazz Caravan. Leonard Feather (mc). Charlie Parker and Bill Harris-Chubby Jackson Herd Charlie Parker (as); Bill Harris (tb); Charlie Mariano (as); Harry Johnson (ts); Sonny Truitt (p); Chubby Jackson (b); Morey Field (d). Broadcast recordings exist.	“Goings on About Town,” New Yorker, February 14, 1953, 8: Ellington and Tatum out on February 12. No mention of the bill starting February 13. “Goings on About Town,” New Yorker, February 21, 1953, 6: Bill as listed. New bill February 27. Closed on Mondays. “Strictly ad Lib,” Down Beat, April 7, 1953, 3: Parker was forced to leave the Bandbox because of his Cabaret Card situation. https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=530216 “On the Radio This Week,” New York Times, February 16, 1953.
February 17	Charlie Parker Charlie Parker writes a letter to the State Liquor Authority making an appeal for regaining his Cabaret Card.	J. Priestley, Chasin’ the Bird (2005), 93 and 219 note p. 93: Maxwell T. Cohen quoted this letter in a Down Beat article, “With Care and Love,” March 11, 1965, 20, See also March 17.
February 22	Concert Miles Davis Max Roach Allen Eager Terry Swope Conover Big band Joe Theimer (d, dir). A Big “Surprise” Guest Howard Theater, Washington, DC. 12:15 a.m. (February 21 after midnight). Willis Conover (prod). Jazz at Midnite no. 9 Private audience recordings exist: Miles Davis Miles Davis (tp); Allen Eager (ts); Jack Holliday? (p); Franklin Skeete? (b); Max Roach (d). Charlie Parker Charlie Parker (as); Jack Holliday? (p); Franklin Skeete? (b); Max Roach (d).	Ad in Washington Afro-American, February 17, 1953, 6. “Howard to Repeat Jazz at Midnight,” Washington Afro-American, February 17, 1953, 6: “a big surprise guest, said to be one of the big names in Jazz today.” https://www.plosin.com/milesAhead/Sessions.aspx?s=530221 https://www.plosin.com/MilesAhead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=530221 The Parker recordings have been considered to come from a March 8, 1953, concert at the Howard. This is not true. Parker was not on the bill on March 8. He was working in Boston on this date. The presence of Max Roach points to the present February 22 concert.
February 22	Charlie Parker Joe Theimer Orchestra Ed Leddy, Marky Markowitz, Charlie Walp, Bob Carey (tp); Earl Swope, Rob Swope, Dan Spiker (tb); Charlie Parker (as); Jim Riley (as); Jim Parker (ts); Angelo Tompros (ts); Ben Lary (ts); Jack Nimitz (bars); Jack Holliday (p); Merton Oliver (b); Joe Theimer (d). Club Kavakos, Washington, DC. 4–8 p.m. Private tape recordings exist.	K. Vail, Bird’s Diary (1996), 122. A contract is shown in K. Vail, Charlie Parker & Jazz Club Memorabilia (2007), 25. https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=530222
March 6	Charlie Parker Quintet? Hunt’s Point Palace, Bronx, New York, NY.	“Bronx Limited,” New York Age, March 7, 1953, 25: Charlie Parker at Hunt’s Point Palace.
March 7	Charlie Parker Quintet Charlie Parker (as); Red Garland (p); Bernie Griggs (b); Roy Haynes (d). Storyville Club, Buckminster Hotel, Boston, MA. March 7-15. March 10: Broadcast WHDH: 9:35–10 p.m.: Music from Storyville. Guest Charlie Parker. John McClellan (mc). Broadcast recording exist.	“Off the Records,” Boston Herald, March 5, 1953, 35: Charlie Parker opens tomorrow, maybe with strings. Ad in Boston American, March 6, 1953, 40: “Parker opens tomorrow for one week.” Ad in Boston American, March 9, 1953, 30: “Tonite thru Sunday.” “At Storyville,” Boston Traveler, March 16, 1953, 6: Opening tonight: Frankie Newton Quartet and Pat Rainey. K. Vail, Bird’s Diary (1996), 122: Quotes contract. The Shaw Artist Corporation is involved in this engagement. “Today’s Radio Headliners,” Boston Herald, March 10, 1953, 14. http://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=530310
March 17	Charlie Parker Charlie Parker’s Cabaret Card is reinstated.	Letter to Charlie Parker from The Legal Aid Society dated March 17, 1953: Here Parker is informed that his appeal to the State Liquor Authority (see February 17) had been successful. L. Kopitnik, “Bird Documents,” JAM (Jazz Ambassador Magazine), August/September 2015, 13, 21.
March 20	Terry Gibbs Quintet Including Don Elliott. Milt Buckner Trio & Sonny Stitt Sonny Stitt (as); Milt Buckner (org); Bernie McKay (g); Cornelius Thomas (d). Bandbox, New York, NY. March 20-26. March 23 (Sunday, March 22 after midnight): WMGM Broadcast: Jazz Caravan. 12:00. Leonard Feather (mc). Charlie Parker accompanied by Milt Buckner Trio Broadcast recording exist.	“Goings on About Town,” New Yorker, March 21, 1953, 6: Bill as listed. “Izzy Rowe’s Notebook,” Pittsburgh Courier, April 4, 1953, 18: “Broadway’s Bandbox continues to advertise Charley Parker for appearances, but as this is written he hasn’t obtained a working card from the police department, and he can’t work without it! ...”: these remarks seem to refer to the period before March 17. “Strictly ad Lib,” Down Beat, April 8, 1953, 3. “Radio Highlights,” Brooklyn Eagle, March 22, 1953, 30. Parker’s comments in the announcement of this broadcast imply that he is in a regular working situation at the club. https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=530323
March 27	Buddy Rich Quartet & Sonny Stitt Charlie Parker Quartet Charlie Parker (as); Walter Bishop, Jr. (p); Kenny O'Brien (b); Roy Haynes (d). Machito Orchestra Bandbox, New York, NY. March 27–April 2. March 30 (Sunday, March 29 after midnight): WMGM Broadcast: Jazz Caravan. 12:00. Leonard Feather, Bob ? (mc). Broadcast recordings exist.	“Goings on About Town,” New Yorker, March 28, 1953, 6. “Radio Highlights,” Brooklyn Eagle, March 29, 1953, 30. https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=530330
March late	Charlie Parker Release of Mercury 11096. 10" 78 rpm. record. Released April 1953. Recorded March 25, 1952 Charlie Parker with Strings Mercury 11096 A Night and Day Mercury 11096 B I Can’t Get Started	“Reviews of Recent Releases in Pop Music,” San Francisco Chronicle, March 29, 1953, This World sec. 21: Review. “Record Reviews: Hot Jazz,” Billboard, April 4. 1953, 46: Ratings: Night and Day: 79 (good); I Can’t Get Started: 77 (good). “Record Reviews: Jazz ,” Down Beat, April 22, 1953, 21: Both sides: 4 stars (very good). “Record Reviews,” Metronome, June 1953, 27: I Can’t Get Started: B- (fairly good) Night and Day: B+ (very good).
April 19	Benefit Concert Ruth Brown, Roy Eldridge, Coleman Hawkins, Al Hibbler, Joe Jones, Jackie Mabley, Hot Lips Page, Stuff Smith, Slam Stewart, Dizzy Gillespie, and Charlie Parker. Birdland, New York, NY. 3–7 p.m. Benefit for drummer Billy Exner.	“Izzy Rowe’s Notebook,” Pittsburgh Courier, April 18, 1953, 18.
April 24	Charlie Parker Philadelphia, PA.	K. Vail, Bird’s Diary (1996), 123: Quotes money order to Chan Parker (Richardson) sent from Philadelphia on this date. I have not been able to verify a Parker gig in Philadelphia on this date.
April 26	Jam Session Concert Open Door, New York, NY. Bob Reisner (prod). April 26, 1953; 7:30 p.m. This was the first of these arrangements.	Notice in Villager, April 23, 1954,? C. Haddix, The Life and Music of Charlie Parker (2013), 148: Claims Parker appeared here. No source is given. Bob Reisner in R. Reisner, Bird: The Legend of Charlie Parker (1975), 12: Reisner has Charlie Parker’s first engagement here sometime after the first Open Door concert on April 26.
May 7	Kai Winding Band Kai Winding (tb); Brew Moore, Phil Urso (ts); Cecil Payne (bars); Percy Heath (b); Philly Jo Jones (d). Gil Melle Quintet Eddie Bert (tb); Gil Melle (ts); Chuck Wayne (g); Clyde Lombardi (b); Ed Shaughnessy (d). Charlie Parker All Stars Charlie Parker (as); John Lewis (p); Curly Russell (b); Kenny Clarke (d); Birdland, New York, NY. May 7-14. May 9 (Friday, May 8, after midnight): WABC Birdland Show: broadcast from Birdland. 2–3 a.m. Bob Garrity (mc). Gil Melle Quintet Kai Winding Band Charlie Parker All Stars Candido Camero (cng) is guest on the closing number. Boris Rose recordings exist.	“Goings on About Town,” New Yorker, May 2, 1953, 6: Opening May 7: Kai Winding Band, Gil Melle’s Quintet. “Goings on About Town,” New Yorker, May 9, 1953, 6: Kai Winding Band, Gil Melle’s Quintet. “Goings on About Town,” New Yorker, May 16, 1953, 8: Melle and Windings closing May 14: “Band Reviews: Parker at Birdland,” Metronome, July 1953, 19: Very positive review, but negative concerning the bass and drums. Parker used a plastic alto. “On the Radio,” New York Times, May 8, 1953, ?. Tracks, which cover about 50 minutes of transmission, are listed in Boris Rose’s Birdland Book dated May 9. https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=530509 Garrity’s announcement states that Parker is in for 2 weeks and that “this is a show, at least a good part of it, that will be here until Wednesday at Birdland.”
May 15	Quintet of the Year Dizzy Gillespie (tp); Charlie Parker (as); Bud Powell (p); Charles Mingus (b); Max Roach (d) Massey Hall, Toronto, Canada. Private tape recordings by Charles Mingus exist.	M. Miller, Cool Blues: Charlie Parker in Canada. 1953. (1990) Here quoted from C. Haddix, The Life and Music of Charlie Parker (2013), 148–152 and 177 note 39, 41, and 42. https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=530515
May 15	Kai Winding Band Probably only on May 15. Sperie Karas Band Including Sperie Karas (d). Probably from May 16–19. Charlie Parker Quintet Charlie Parker (as); Bud Powell (p); Charles Mingus (b); Art Taylor (d); Candido (cng). From May 21. Dizzy Gillespie Quintet Dizzy" Gillespie (tp); Sahib Shihab (bars); Wade Legge (p); Louis Hackney (b); Al Jones (d); Joe Carroll (voc). Miles Davis subs for Gillespie on May 15. Birdland, New York, NY. May 15-27. May 16 (Friday, May 15, after midnight): WABC broadcast from Birdland. 2—3 a.m. Bob Garrity (mc). Kai Winding Band Dizzy Gillespie Quintet Miles Davis is subbing for Gillespie here. Candido Camero (cng) is guest on one of the tracks. Boris Rose recordings exist. May 23 (Friday, May 22, after midnight): WABC broadcast from Birdland. 2–3 a.m. Bob Garrity (mc). Bud Powell Trio Charlie Parker Dizzy Gillespie Orchestra Charlie Parker and Miles Davis sit in here. Private recordings off the air by Chan Parker [Richardson] exist.	“Goings on About Town,” New Yorker, May 16, 1953, 8: Expected opening of Gillespie and Parker’s band on May 15. Because of the Massey Hall concert Dizzy Gillespie’s Quintet had Miles Davis subbing for Gillespie on May 15. “Broadway,” New York Daily News, May 17, 1953, sec. 2, 10: Sperie Karas is now at Birdland. A Birdland poster shows opening date of May 21, 1953, for the Parker Quintet. “Goings on About Town,” New Yorker, May 23, 1953, 6: Parker and Gillespie’s bands are here now, closing on May 27, where Ella Fitzgerald, Wild Bill Davis Trio, and Bud Powell Trio take over. “On the Radio,” New York Times, May 15, 1953, 32: WABC: 2 p.m.: Bob Garrity. Tracks, which cover about 50 minutes of transmission, are listed in Boris Rose’s Birdland Book dated May 16. https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=530522 “On the Radio,” New York Times, May 22, 1953, 24: WABC: 2 pm: Bob Garrity. Boris Rose lists no recordings on this date. https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=530522
May 25	Charlie Parker and His Orchestra Charlie Parker (as); Junior Collins (frh); Hal McKusick (cl); Tommy Mace (oboe); Manny Thaler (bassoon); Tony Aless (p); Charles Mingus (b); Max Roach (d); Dave Lambert Singers (voc); Dave Lambert (arr); Gil Evans (arr, cond) Fulton Recording Studio, New York. NY. Commercial recordings for Mercury.	https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=530525 K. Vail, Bird’s Diary (1996), 128: Quotes Gil Evans interviewed by Charlie Fox.
May 28	Ella Fitzgerald Wild Bill Davis Trio Charlie Parker acc. by Bud Powell Trio Bud Powell (p); Charles Mingus (b); Art Taylor (d). Birdland, New York, NY. May 28–June 3. May 30: (May 29 after midnight) WABC broadcast from Birdland. 2–3 a.m. Bob Garrity (mc). Wild Bill Davis Trio Ella Fitzgerald Bud Powell Trio Charlie Parker Candido Camero (cng) is guest on two tracks. Boris Rose recordings exist.	“Goings on About Town,” New Yorker, May 30, 1953, 6: Ella Fitzgerald, Wild Bill Davis Trio, and Bud Powell Trio. “Strictly Ad Lib,” Birdland, Down Beat, July 1, 1953, 3: Parker was held over an extra week to join Fitzgerald. “On the Radio,” New York Times, May 29, 1953, ? Tracks, which cover about 1 hour of transmission, are listed in Boris Rose’s Birdland Book dated May 30. https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=530529
June 8	Charlie Parker and His All Stars Herb Pomeroy (tp); Charlie Parker (as); Dean Earl (p); Bernie Griggs (b); Baggy Grant (d). Hi-Hat, Boston, MA. June 8-14. June 15: WBMS 3:00–4:00 pm: Symphony Sid. Recordings exist.	Ad in Boston Daily Record, June 8, 1953, 39: Presenting Nightly: Charlie Parker. Ad in Boston Daily Record, June 15, 1953, 42: Nightly and Sunday Matinee: Ruth Brown. “Radio, Television, FM,” Boston Globe, June 14, 1953, A-59: WBMS: 3:00–4:00 pm; Symphony Sid. WCOP: 12:00: Symphony Sid. https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=530614 Symphony Sid’s opening announcements reveal that it is Parker’s last day at the Hi-Hat. The closing announcement indicates that this is a matinee event. Symphony Sid’s night program started at midnight, so there would be no sense in telling people to come down to the HI- Hat if it was a night program.
June 13	Charlie Parker WHDH Studio, Boston, MA. WHDH broadcast: 7:00 p.m.: Top Shelf. John McClellan (mc). John McClellan interview with Charlie Parker.	“Radio Head Liners,” Boston Traveler, June 13, 1953, 3. https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=530613
June 18	Charlie Parker acc. by Bud Powell Trio Cootie Williams Orchestra Paul Quinichette Band Birdland, New York, NY. June 18-24. June 20 (Friday, June 19, after midnight): Broadcast WABC: 12:00: Birdland Show. Bob Garrity (mc). Cootie Williams Orchestra Paul Quinichette Band Bud Powell Trio Charlie Parker	“Goings on About Town,” New Yorker, June 13, 1953, 6: Bill as shown, opening June 17. “Goings on About Town,” New Yorker, June 20, 1953, 6: Bill as shown closing June 24. K. Vail, Bird’s Diary (1996), 133: Has Parker opposite Winding and Slim Gaillard. Source: Metronome review. This review probably belongs to Parker’s early May engagement at Birdland. “Radio Highlights,” Brooklyn Eagle, June 19, 1953, 13. Tracks, which cover about 1 hour of transmission, are listed in Boris Rose’s Birdland Book dated June 20. No tracks with Parker are listed.
June 25	Charlie Parker Sonny Stitt acc. by Max Roach Quartet Paul Quinichette Quintet Including organ. Birdland, New York, NY. June 25—July 1. June 27 (Friday, June 26, after midnight): Broadcast WABC: 12:00–1:00 a.m. Birdland Show. Bob Garrity (mc). Paul Quinichette Band Charlie Parker/Sonny Stitt Charlie Parker (as); Sonny Stitt (ts); Hank Mobley (ts); Bud Powell (p); George Duvivier (b); Max Roach (d). Two independent sets of recordings off the air exist: a lacquer recording by an unidentified person and a tape recording by Chan Parker [Richardson].	“Goings on about Town,” New Yorker, June 27, 1953, 7: Bill as shown, closing July 1. Has Bud Powell Trio and also Erroll Garner Trio, “Little Old New York,” Morning Herald (Union Town, PA.), June 30, 1950, 4: Has a Birdland bill of Sonny Stitt/Charlie Parker/Powell and Paul Quinichette. D. Kilgallen, “the Voice of Broadway,” Pottstown Mercury (PA), July 7, 1953, 4: Parker nearly lost his job because he left Birdland and went to jam with Lionel Hampton at the Bandbox (Hampton opened at bandbox on June 24). “Radio Highlights,” Brooklyn Eagle, June 19, 1953, 13. Boris Rose’s Birdland Book shows no tracks from this broadcast. https://www.plosin.com/milesAhead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=530626 The Garrity announcements names the Bud Powell/Max Roach group: Max Roach Quartet: Hank Mobley (ts); Bud Powell (p); George Duvivier (b); Max Roach (d).
July	Release of Red Norvo’s Fabulous Jam Sessions. Dial LP 903 12” 33 rpm. LP Re-issues and alternative takes. Recorded June 6, 1945. Norvo’s All Star Jam Session Dial 903-A Hallelujah Get Happy Slam Slam Blues Congo Blues Dial 903-B Hallelujah Get Happy Slam Slam Blues Congo Blues Congo Blues Congo Blues	“Jazz Reviews,” Down Beat, July 29, 1953, 14: Very positive review. Rating: 6 stars (excellent).
July	Release of Charlie Parker Alternate Masters, vol. 1. Dial LP 904 12” 33 rpm. LP Alternative takes. Dial 904-A Recorded November 4, 1947. Nowhere (1115-B) Recorded December 17, 1947. How Deep (1156-A) Quasimado (1122-B) Recorded October 28, 1947. Bird of Paradise (1105-A) Embraceable You (1104-B) Recorded December 17, 1947. Charlie’s Wig (1153-B) Dial 904-B Recorded November 4, 1947. Nowhere (1115-C) Recorded October 28, 1947. Bird of Paradise (1105-C) Recorded December 17, 1947. Drifting on a Reed (1151-D) Recorded November 4, 1947. Klactoveedsedstene (1112-B) Scrapple (1113-C) Recorded October 28, 1947. Dexterity (1101-C) The Hymn (1104-A)	Jazz Reviews,” Down Beat, July 29, 1953, 14: Rating: 4 stars (good).
July 2	Charlie Parker acc. by Bud Powell Trio Billy Eckstine Lester Young Band Birdland, New York, NY. July 2-15. July 4 (Friday, July 3, after midnight): Broadcast WABC: 12:00: Birdland Show. Bob Garrity (mc).	Goings on about Town,” New Yorker, July 4, 1953, 4: Bud Powell Trio, Billy Eckstine, and Lester Young band. “Front and Center,” New York Age, July 4, 1953, 7: Mentions Parker on this bill with Powell. “Eckstine and Lester Young,” Headline Birdland Show,” Pittsburgh Courier, July 4, 1953, 18: Mentions Parker on this bill with Powell. “Goings on about Town,” New Yorker, July 11, 1953, 4: Bud Powell Trio, Billy Eckstine, and Lester Young band closing on July 15. "Voice of Broadway," Record-Argus, July 9, 1953, second section, 10: Dorothy Kilgallen tells that Parker almost lost his job, by wandering out during his set, in order to jam with Lionel Hampton at the Bandbox. Parker may have stopped before July 15. “Radio Highlights,” Brooklyn Eagle, July 3, 1953, 19. There seems to be no surviving broadcasts from this bill.
July 26	Charlie Parker and His All Stars Benny Harris (tp); Charlie Parker (as); Al Haig (p); Charles Mingus (b); Art Taylor (d) Open Door, New York, NY. 9 p.m. New Jazz in the Village. Bob Reisner (prod). Private tape recordings exist.	Ad in Villager, July 23, 1953, ? C. Haddix, The Life and Music of Charlie Parker (2013), 148: Claims Parker appeared at the Open Door in the first concert on April 26. No source is given. Bob Reisner in R. Reisner, Bird: The Legend of Charlie Parker (1975), 12: Reisner has Charlie Parker’s first engagement at the Open Door sometime after the first Open Door concert. https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=530726
July late	Charlie Parker Release of Clef 11100. 10" 78 rpm. record. Recorded May 25, 1953. Charlie Parker and His Orchestra Clef 11100 A In the Still of the Night Clef 11100 B Old Folks	“Jazz Singles,” Down Beat, July 29, 1953, 14: In the Still of the Night: 3 stars (good); Old Folks: 2 Stars (fair). “Other Records Released This Week,” Billboard, August 1, 1953, 40. “Record Reviews,” Metronome September 1953, 24: Both sides: B- (fairly good).
July late	Charlie Parker Clef MG C-609, Charlie Parker Big Band. 12" 33 rpm. LP. LP re-release of Mercury 11088, 11089, 11096, 11102, and 11068 MG C-609 A Recorded January 22, 1952. Temptation Autumn in New York Lover Stella by Starlight Recorded September 1950. Dancing in the Dark MG C-609 B Recorded March 25, 1952. Night and Day I Can't Get Started What Is this Thing Called Love Almost Like Being in Love Recorded September 1950. Laura	“Packaged Review Ratings: Jazz,” Billboard, August 1, 1953, 32: Rating: 75 (good). “Modern Jazz: New Discs for Cool Collectors, Billboard, August 1, 1953, 32, ,41: positive review. “Jazz Eps, LPs,” Down Beat, September 23, 1953, 14: 4 stars (very good).
July 30	Charlie Parker Quartet Charlie Parker (as); Al Haig (p); Percy Heath (b); Max Roach (d). Fulton Recording Studio, New York NY. Commercial recordings for Mercury.	https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=530730
August 9	Charlie Parker Quintet Sparrow's Beach, Annapolis, MD.	K. Vail, Bird’s Diary (1996), 134: No source is given.
August 16	Charlie Parker St. Louis, MO.	K. Vail, Bird’s Diary (1996), 134: Quotes Western Union money order from Parker to Chan sent from St. Louis on this date.
August mid	Charlie Parker Tootie’s Mayfair, Jackson County, MO. Charlie Parker had to fly from the gig in order not to be framed by a female Police agent.	Tutty Clarkin: in R. Reisner, Bird: The Legend of Charlie Parker (1975), 68: Dates this episode to 1953. C. Haddix, Bird –The Life and Music of Charlie Parker (2013), 143: Dates this episode to July 1952, which may be correct.
August 24	Charlie Parker Illinois Jacquet Arnett Cobb Graystone Ballroom, Detroit, MI. Battle Royal.	D. Kilgallen, “The Voice of Broadway,” Record-Argus (Greenville, PA), September 11, 1953, 8: Parker is arrested on the stage in Detroit for a non-support charge from his first wife. He was in the process of playing Everything I Have is Yours. "Wife Jails Bandleader," Pittsburgh Courier (nat. ed.), September 12, 1953, 1: Parker arrested and sentenced two years’ probation because of non-support charges from his former wife, Rebecca Davis. Ad in Michigan Chronicle, August 29, 1943, acc. to Bjorn and j. Gallart, Before Motown (2001), 109 note 24.
August 26	Down Beat 1953 Critic’s Poll Alto sax 1. Charlie Parker 2. Johnny Hodges 3. Benny Carter 4. Lee Konitz 5. Willie Smith	“Ellington, Brubeck Winner in Critic’s Jazz Poll,” Down Beat, August 26, 1953, 1, 7.
September early	Woody Herman Orchestra Bandbox, New York, NY. Charly Parker sits in here.	“Strictly Ad Lib,” Down Beat, October 21, 1953, 3.: Parker sat in with Woody Herman at the Band Box. No date is given. “Goings on about Town,” New Yorker, September 12, 1953, 6: Woody Herman closing on September 13.
September 20	Concert Charlie Parker (as); Thelonious Monk (p); Charles Mingus (b); Roy Haynes (d) Open Door, New York, NY. 8 p.m. Bob Reisner (prod).	Notice in the Villager, September 17, 1953, ?: Dates September 20. K. Vail, Bird’s Diary (1996), 135: Dates September 13. Photo is shown. No source is given.
September 21	Charlie Parker and His Quintet Herb Pomeroy (tp); Charlie Parker (as); Sir Charles Thompson (p); Jimmy Woode (b); Kenny Clarke (d). Storyville Club, Copley Square Hotel, Boston, MA. September 21-27. September 22: Broadcast WHDH. 11:35 p.m. Charlie Parker. John McClellan (mc). Recordings exist.	Ad in Boston Herald, September 21, 1953, 7: “Opening tonite thru Sunday.” Parker must have been out on Saturday night where he performed in concert at Carnegie Hall, N.Y. “Off the Records," Boston Herald, September 22, 1953, 27: Broadcast tonight at WHDH 11:35 p.m. “Radio –Television,” Boston American, September 22, 1953, 38. https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=530922
September late	Jazz Workshop Guests: Charlie Parker, Louis Bellson, Nat Pierce, Kenny Clarke, Cal Tjader, Toots Thielemans, Bill Clark, and Al McKibbon. Boston, MA.	“Strictly Ad Lib,” Down Beat, November 4, 1953, 21: Charlie Parker and others were guests at Jazz Workshop during their stay in Boston. Ad in Boston Globe, September 10, 1953, 715 “George Shearing Quintet (including Tjader and Thielemans) opening Sunday (13) for 8 days.” Ad in Boston American, September 21, 1953, 10: Pearl Bailey and Louis Bellson at Latin Quarter. Ad in Boston American, September 25, 1953, 39: Pearl Bailey and Louis Bellson at Latin Quarter last 3 days.
September 26	Concert Stan Kenton Orchestra 19 pieces: 10 brass; 5 reeds; 4 rhythm including Stan Kenton (p). Billie Holiday Dizzy Gillespie Charlie Parker Bud Powell Trio Carnegie Hall, New York, NY. 8:15 and 11.45 p.m. Stan Kenton and Hal Jackson (mc). Kahl Music (Phil Kahl and Morris Levy) (prod).	“Kahl Music Tees Off Jazz Concerts in N.Y.,” Variety, September 9, 1953, 50. “Goings on About Town,” New Yorker, September 26, 1953, 12. “Stan Kenton Is Solid in Carnegie Hall, N.Y., Bash with All-Star Jazz Bill,” Variety, September 30, 1953, 53: Review.
October	Various Artists Release of Crazy and Cool RCA Victor LPT 3046 10" 33 rpm. LP. Fats Navarro appears on Royal Roost, Overtime, and Victory Ball. Charlie Parker appears on Overtime, and Victory Ball LPT 3046 side 1: Recorded September 5, 1946 Kenny Clarke and His 52^nd Street Boys Royal Roost Recorded April 22, 1947 Lucky Thompson and His Lucky Seven Boppin’ the Blues Recorded February 22, 1946. Dizzy Gillespie and His Orchestra Anthropology Recorded January 3, 1949. Metronome All Stars Overtime LPT 3046 side 2: Recorded March 20, 1950. Gene Krupa and His Orchestra These Foolish Things Recorded December 30. 1947. Dizzy Gillespie and His Orchestra Manteca Recorded August 12, 1949. Charlie Ventura and His Orchestra Boptura Recorded January 3, 1949. Metronome All Stars Victory Ball	RCA Victor ad in Down Beat October 17, 1953, 35. “RCA Victor Now Bucking Indies For a Share of the Bop Dollar,” Billboard, November 14, 1953, 44: Review. “Jazz Reviews,” Down Beat, December 2, 1953, 14: Album rating: 4 stars (very good).
October	Jazz at Massey Hall Release of Jazz at Massey Hall vol. 1 Debut DLP-2 10" LP. Recorded May 15, 1953 Quintet of the Year DLP-2 A Perdido Salt Peanuts DLP-2 B Salt Peanuts All the Things You Are	“The Lively Arts,” San Francisco Chronicle, November 2, 1953, 20: Review. Record Reviews: Jazz LPs,” Metronome, November 1953: 25: Perdido: B (good); Salt Peanuts: A- (excellent); All the Things You Are: B- (fairly good). “Jazz Reviews,” Down Beat, December 30, 1953, 14: album rating: 4 stars (very good).
October 4	Charlie Parker Quintet Benny Harris (tp); Charlie Parker (as); Horace Silver (p); Charlie Mingus (b); Kenny Clarke (d). Memorial Hall, Buffalo, NY.	K. Vail, Bird’s Diary (1996), 136: No source is given. H. Silver, Let's Get to the Nitty Gritty (2006, 65-66: Silver subbed for a sick Walter Bishop.
October 9	Charlie Parker CA.	K. Vail, Bird’s Diary (1996), 136: Has money order from Parker in California to Chan on this date. Probably misdated!
October 12	Charlie Parker and His Band Benny Harris (tp); Charlie Parker (as); Harry Biss (p); Conrad Henry (b); Art Mardigan (d). Al Cowans and His Great Jazz Band Quartier Latin, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. October 12-18. The Parker band was actually fired on October 14.	Ad in Gazette (Montreal), October 12, 1953, 14: opening tonight for one week. K. Vail, Bird’s Diary (1996), 136–41: Parker is fired because of unsatisfactory performance in the opinion of the manager, Morton Berman. The sources are letters to AFM about the firing.
October 19	Charlie Parker Charlie Parker (as); unidentified accompaniment. Blue Note, Philadelphia, PA. October 19-25.	“Rhythm and Blues Notes,” Billboard, October 17, 1953, 47: Parker opens at the Blue Note in Philadelphia on October 19 for a week.
October 25	Charlie Parker with Strings Jordan Hall, Boston, MA.	“Strictly Ad Lib,” Down Beat, November 4, 1953, 21: John McClellan arranging a Parker with Strings concert at Jordan Hall on October 25. This project seems not to have been realized. Local newspapers have no mention of suck a concert. Ad in Boston Herald, October 18, 1953, sec. IV, 6: Jordan Hall: October 25, 8:30 p.m.: Framingham Choral Society.
October 30	West Coast in Jazz Charlie Parker Quintet Chet Baker (tp), Charlie Parker (as); Jimmy Rowles (p); Carson Smith (b); Shelly Manne (d). Dave Brubeck Quartet Paul Desmond (as); Dave Brubeck (p); Ron Crotty (b); Lloyd Davis (d). October 30–November 8. Gene Norman (prod).	“Brubeck, Parker Units for 1-niters,” Billboard, October 31, 1953, 16: Gene Norman 10-day one-nighter tour.
October 30	West Coast in Jazz Charlie Parker Quintet Chet Baker (tp), Charlie Parker (as); Jimmy Rowles (p); Carson Smith (b); Shelly Manne (d). Dave Brubeck Quartet Paul Desmond (as); Dave Brubeck (p); Ron Crotty (b); Lloyd Davis (d). Olympia, WA. Gene Norman (prod).	“Brubeck, Parker Units for 1-niters,” Billboard, October 31, 1953, 16: Gene Norman 10-day one-nighter tour.
October 31	West Coast in Jazz Charlie Parker Quintet Chet Baker (tp), Charlie Parker (as); Jimmy Rowles (p); Carson Smith (b); Shelly Manne (d). Dave Brubeck Quartet Paul Desmond (as); Dave Brubeck (p); Ron Crotty (b); Lloyd Davis (d). Metropolitan Center, Seattle, WA. 9 p.m. and midnight. Gene Norman, Norm Robrow (prod).	Ad in Seattle Daily Times, October 31, 1953, 3. “Jazz Concert Disappointing,” Seattle Daily Times, November 2, 1952, 15: Review: Unfavorable to Parker.
November 1	West Coast in Jazz Charlie Parker Quintette Chet Baker (tp), Charlie Parker (as); Jimmy Rowles (p); Carson Smith (b); Shelly Manne (d). Dave Brubeck Quartette Paul Desmond (as); Dave Brubeck (p); Ron Crotty (b); Lloyd Davis (d). Playhouse Theater, Portland, OR. 8:30 and 10 p.m. Gene Norman (prod).	Ad in Oregonian (Portland), October 29, 1953, 4M, 7.
November 2	West Coast in Jazz Charlie Parker Quintette Chet Baker (tp), Charlie Parker (as); Jimmy Rowles (p); Carson Smith (b); Shelly Manne (d). Dave Brubeck Quartette Paul Desmond (as); Dave Brubeck (p); Ron Crotty (b); Lloyd Davis (d). Georgia Auditorium, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. 8:30 pm. Gene Norman (prod).	Ad in Vancouver Sun, November 2, 1953, 36.
November 4	West Coast in Jazz Charlie Parker Quintet Chet Baker (tp), Charlie Parker (as); Jimmy Rowles (p); Carson Smith (b); Shelly Manne (d). Dave Brubeck Quartet Paul Desmond (as); Dave Brubeck (p); Ron Crotty (b); Lloyd Davis (d). Gene Norman (prod). University of Oregon, Eugene, OR. Private tape recordings exist.	“Dave Brubeck Tickets on Sale at Thompson's,” Eugene Guard, November 1, 1953, 4A. https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=531104
November 7	West Coast in Jazz Charlie Parker Quintette Chet Baker (tp), Charlie Parker (as); Jimmy Rowles (p); Carson Smith (b); Shelly Manne (d). Dave Brubeck Quartet Paul Desmond (as); Dave Brubeck (p); Ron Crotty (b); Lloyd Davis (d). Embassy Auditorium, Hollywood, CA. Gene Norman, (prod).	Ad in Valley Times, November 6, 1953, 10. K. Vail, Bird’s Diary (1996), 137: Has Portland, OR, for this date. This may be a mistake for the November 1 concert.
November 8	West Coast in Jazz Charlie Parker Quintet Chet Baker (tp), Charlie Parker (as); Jimmy Rowles (p); Carson Smith (b); Shelly Manne (d). Dave Brubeck Quartet Paul Desmond (as); Dave Brubeck (p); Ron Crotty (b); Lloyd Davis (d). Coliseum, San Diego, CA. Gene Norman, Don Howard (prod).	“The Roundup,” San Diego Union, October 23, 1953, a-17. “Don Howard's Jazz Show Wins Prize,” San Diego Union, November 9, 1953, a-15.
November 20	Charlie Parker Acc. by local musicians including Israel Crosby. Bee Hive Lounge, Chicago, IL. November 20–December 10.	Ad in Chicago Defender, November 12, 1953, 34: Opening Friday October [sic] 20: Charlie Parker. Ad in Chicago Defender, November 19, 1953, 53: Now appearing Charlie Parker. Ad in Chicago Defender, December 12, 1953, 13: Sonny Stitt at Bee Hive. K. Vail, Bird’s Diary (1996), 142–43: Has December 10 for Parker’s closing. Shows photo of Parker and Crosby.
November late	Charlie Parker Jazz Club All Stars Roosevelt College, Chicago, IL.	J. Segal, “Bird in Chicago,” Down Beat, March 11, 1965, 18: Segal mentions a Monday night appearance of Parker at the students’ jazz club at Roosevelt
November 28	Ben Webster Charlie Parker Edward Sisters T-Bone Walker Buster Bennett And His Band Dr. Jo Jo Adams Dot and Dash Muddy Water Sammy Rogers Eddie Boyd Regal Theatre, Chicago, IL. 8:00 p.m. and 12:00 midnight. McKie Fitzhugh (prod). McKie Fitzhugh Variety Show of ’54.	Ad in Chicago Defender, November 19, 1953, 28.
December 15	Charlie Parker Acc. by local musicians including a trumpet. Club Tijuana, Baltimore, MD. December 15–27. “Smiling” J. C. Bailey and Nat Ailor (hosts).	“At Club Tijuana,” Baltimore Afro-American, December 15, 1953, 7: Parker opening tonight (Tuesday) with All Star group. “Along the Avenue,” Baltimore Afro-American, December 19, 1953, 20: the group included a trumpet. Ad in Baltimore Afro-American, December 19, 1953, 21: December 19-27.
December 30	Down Beat 1953 Band Poll Alto Sax 1. Charlie Parker 2, Lee Konitz 3. Paul Desmond 4. Johnny Hodges 5. Art Pepper	“Cole, Ella, Brubeck, Les Brown Are New Champs…” Down Beat, December 30, 1953, 1, 6, 7.