Session details: Erb Memorial Union, University of Oregon (November 4, 1953)

Charlie Parker session details

November 4, 1953 (3 items; TT = 12:26)

Erb Memorial Union, University of Oregon, Eugene OR

Private recording (Tape) (B-)

Charlie Parker (as); Chet Baker (tpt); Jimmy Rowles (p); Carson Smith (b); Shelly Manne (d)

1	Ornithology (two fragments) (C. Parker-B. Harris)	2:53
	First fragment (2:13) ends after Parker solo; second (0:40) contains closing theme
2	Barbados (two fragments) (C. Parker)	3:53
	First fragment (3:07) starts with drum solo; second fragment (0:45) contain rhythm and theme
3	Cool Blues (two fragments) (C. Parker)	5:40
	First fragment (1:49) ends after Parker solo; second fragment (3:50) includes as/tpt/d exchanges, then p/b/d exchanges, and closing theme


1 Ornithology (two fragments) 12" LP: Bird Box 01-22 LP 21, Stash ST 260 CD: New Sound Planet JUTB 3017, Sound Hills SSCD 8033, Stash STCD 10, STCD 582, Philology Volume 36 (W 867), Volume 59 (W 890), Definitive DRCD 11231, Frémeaux & Associés FA 1343
2 Barbados (two fragments) 12" LP: Bird Box 01-22 LP 21, Stash ST 260 CD: New Sound Planet JUTB 3017, Sound Hills SSCD 8033, Stash STCD 10, STCD 582, Philology Volume 36 (W 867), Definitive DRCD 11231, Frémeaux & Associés FA 1343
3 Cool Blues (two fragments) 12" LP: Bird Box 01-22 LP 21, Stash ST 260 CD: New Sound Planet JUTB 3017, Sound Hills SSCD 8033, Stash STCD 10, STCD 582, Philology Volume 36 (W 867), Definitive DRCD 11231, Frémeaux & Associés FA 1343

Parker participated in a series of "West Coast in Jazz" concerts in October-November 1953. The date for this performance is usually given as November 5, but the University of Oregon paper, the Oregon Daily Emerald, shows the date as Wednesday, November 4. The Dave Brubeck quintet [sic] headed up the bill -- and Parker is even listed as one of the quintet's members. Apparently ticket sales were very slow, but the show sold out and an audience of 1500 attended the concert, which started late because the musicians' bus broke down between Seattle and Eugene. I'm grateful to Carl Woideck for providing me with scans of the pages of the Daily Emerald.

Baker's solos have been edited out, but Rowles and Manne are subtle and inventive accompanists. The ensembles are ragged, especially on "Cool Blues," which is taken at an absurdly fast tempo.