1949

Charlie Parker Chronology

 

 

 

Created by Leif Bo Petersen

Last updated: December21, 2023.

 

Date

Event

References/Further Details

 

January

Metronome Poll 1948

Alto sax

1. Charlie Parker

2. johnny Hodges

3. Willie Smith

 

Modernist Cop Top Poll Slots,” Metronome, January 1949, 24–26, 28, 30, 32–34.

 

January

Charlie Parker (as)

Flip Phillips (ts)

acc. by

Machito and His Orchestra

Mario Bauza, Frank Davilla, Bob Woodlen (tp); Gene Johnson, Fred Skerritt (as); Jose Madera (ts); Leslie Johnakins (bars); Rene Hernandez (p); Roberto Rodriguez (b); Jose Manguel (bgo); Luis Miranda (cng); Umbaldo Nieto (timbales); Frank "Machito" Grillo (maracas).

Unidentified studio, New York, NY.

Commercial recordings for Mercury.

 

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=490110

These recordings may come from the December Mercury session, but the matrix numbers indicate a later date. However, Phil Schaap has told that these matrix numbers come from the transfer of the original lacquers to tapes, and that they are not the original numbers.

January early

Various Artists

January 1949:

Release of New Sounds in Modern Music vol. 1

Reissue of Be Bop Savoy S 506 with new cover and new labels.

 10" 78 rpm. album4 records album)

Charlie Parker appears only on 903-B.

Fats Navarro only appears on 900 and 901.

 

The Bebop Boys:

Savoy 900-A

Webb City Part One

Savoy 900-B

Webb City Part Two

The Bebop Boys:

Savoy 901-A

Fat Boy Part One

Savoy 901-B

Fat Boy Part Two

The Bebop Boys — James Moody:

Savoy 902-A

Moody Speaks

Savoy 902-B

Smokey Holley Jump

The Bebop Boys -  Stan Getz:

Savoy 903-A

Opus De Bop

The Bebop Boys -  Charlie Parker:

Savoy 903-B

Thriving from a Riff (Anthropology)

 

Ad for Featherstun, Mt. Vernon Register-News, January 6, 1949: Mentions this album as just received latest releases.

January early

Charlie Parker

Releases of Dial 11006, 007, 1012 1014, 1021, and 1030

10” 78 rpm. records.

 

Reissue of Dial 1006 with slightly differing labels.

Dial 1006-A

Curbstone Scuffle

Recorded March 28, 1946.

Charlie Parker Septet

Dial 1006-B

Bird Lore (Ornithology alt. take) 

 

Reissue of Dial 1007 with different labels.

Recorded July 29, 1946.

Howard McGhee Quintet

Dial 1007-A

Be Bop

Charlie Parker

Dial 1007-B

Lover Man

 

Reissue of Dial 1007 with different labels.

Recorded February 26, 1947.

Charlie Parker All Stars

Dial 1012-A

Relaxin’ at Camarillo

Serge Chaloff Quintet (no Parker participation)

Dial 1012-B

Blue Serge

 

Reissue of Dial 1014 with new labels and containing a different take of 1014-A.

Recorded February 19, 1947.

Charlie Parker Quartet

Dial 1014-A

Bird’s Nest

Dial 1014-B

Dark Shadows

 

Single reissue of Dial 1021.

Recorded November 2, 1947.

Charlie Parker Quintet

Dial 1021-A

Scrapple from the Apple

Dial 1021-B

Don’t Blame Me

 

Reissue of Dial 1012-A with new series number and labels.

Recorded February 26, 1947

Charlie Parker All Stars

Dial 1030-A

Relaxin’ at Camarillo

Reissue of Dial 1012-B with a new series number and label.

Dial 1030-B

Stupendous

 

Baca Radio ad, Daily Northwestern (Evanston, IL.), January 14, 1949, 3: list of new releases has Dial 1006, 1007, 1012, 1014, and 1021.

Hudson-Ross ad in Chicago Tribune, February 24, 1949, part 2, 15: Lists Dial 1030.

“Disc Data,” Detroit Free Press, April 9, 1949, 18: Positive mention of Dial 1021.

 

 

 

 

January

JATP

Release of

Norman Granz’ Jazz at the Philharmonic vol. 2

2 12” 78 rpm. records

Reissue of Disc 501 on a new label.

 

Recorded January 28, 1946.

Jazz at the Philharmonic

Mercury 1123 A

Blues for Norman part I

Mercury 1123 B

Blues for Norman part II

Mercury 1124 B

I Can’t Get Started with You part I

Mercury 1124 B

I Can’t Get Started with You part II

 

Ad for Lindsay Record Auditorium in Ottawa Journal, February 7, 1949, 9: lists this album set.

 

January

JATP

Including Charlie Parker

Release of Norman Granz’ Jazz at the Philharmonic vol. 3

3 10” 78 rpm. records.

Reissue of Disc 503 by a new record company and in a new format.

Parker only appears on 11040 B, 11041 A, and 11041 B.

 

Recorded January 28, 1946.

Jazz at the Philharmonic

Mercury 11039 A

Crazy Rhythm part 1

Mercury 11039 B

Sweet Georgia Brown part 3

Mercury 11040 A

Crazy Rhythm part 2

Mercury 11040 B

Sweet Georgia Brown part 2

Mercury 11041 A

Crazy Rhythm part 3

Mercury 11041 B

Sweet Georgia Brown part 1

 

Ad for Lindsay Record Auditorium in Ottawa Journal, February 7, 1949, 9: lists this album set.

 

January 1

Charlie Parker Quintet

Kenny Dorham (tp); Charlie Parker (as); Al Haig (p); Tommy Potter (b); Max Roach (d).

Joe Harris seems to have subbed for Roach at least on New Year’s Eve.

Charlie Ventura Band

Norman Faye (tp); Bennie Green (tb); Ben Ventura (as); Charlie Ventura (ts, bas-s); Roy Kral (p); Ken O’Brien (b); Ed Shaughnessy (d); Jackie Cain (voc).

Billy Eckstine (voc)

(Probably closing before January 6).

Royal Roost, New York, NY.

Closing January 6.

January 1:

WMCA broadcast. 2–4 a.m. Symphony Sid (mc).

Charlie Parker Quintet incl. Joe Harris and Charlie Ventura band Recordings exist.

 

“Goings on About Town: Royal Roost,” New Yorker, January 1, 1949, 5: Eckstine, Parker, and Ventura.

“Herd Opens Empire; Eckstine, Ellington Skedded to Follow,” Billboard, December 11, 1948, 17: Eckstine planned to open at the Empire Room, LA, on January 4.

Statement of Charlie Parker account from the Gale Agency dated April 25, 1949. A scan is shown in K. Vail (ed.) Charlie Parker & Jazz Club Memorabilia  (2007), 44: Shows January 5 receipt of $350 for Roost engagement.

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=490101

Boris Rose’s Birdland Book.

Losin includes a jam session recording on January 1, but according to Boris Rose’s list this comes from January 15.

 

January 2

Jazz at Its Best

January 2, 1949

Broadcast WMGM: 2:30–3:25 p.m.: Jazz at Its Best. Leonard Feather (prod.)

Charlie Parker and Norman Granz were guests on the program.

 

"Radio and TV," New York Times," January 2, 1949, 10X: WMGM: 2:30–3:25 p.m.: Jazz at Its Best.

"On the Airlanes," New York Age, January 8, 1949, 2: Parker and Granz in Feather's program.

January 3

Metronome All Stars 

Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Fats Navarro(tp); J. J. Johnson, Kai Winding (tb); Buddy DeFranco (cl); Charlie Parker as); Charlie Ventura (ts); Ernie Caceres (bars); Lennie Tristano (p); Billy Bauer (g); Eddie Safranski (b); Shelly Manne (d); Pete Rugolo, Lennie Tristano (arr).

Victor Studios, Studio 2, New York, NY.

January 3, 1949, 7:30 pm.–1 am.

Commercial recordings for RCA/Victor.

Charlie Grean, Steve Sholes (Victor prod).

Lou Layton (engineer).

George Simon and Barry Ulanov were present as Metronome producers.

“G. Simon: ”Your Dream Date Comes True: Metronome All Stats Wax Great Sides,” Metronome, March 1949, 13:  Simon, who was present in the studio, states that the order of trumpet solos on the long version of  Overtime is Diz, Miles, and Fats. This order has been disputed.

I. Gitler, Liner notes to Dizzy Gillespie/The Complete RCA Victor Recordings. Bluebird 07863  66528 2. (1995).

T. Urbano, The Music of Miles Davis, http://www.themusicofmiles.com/articles/metronome-all-stars-1949/session.php

Diggin’ the Discs with Tom: Combo Jazz,” Down Beat, April 8, 1949, 14: The reviewer states that it is Navarro who has the trumpet solo in this short version of Overtime.

“Records Noted,” Record Changer, June 1949, 13: The reviewer suggest that it may be Navarro on this short version of Overtime.

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=490103

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/Sessions.aspx?s=490103

For further details see L. B. Petersen and T. Rehak, Infatuation – The Music and Life of Theodore “Fats” Navarro (2009), 237–38, 245–50.

 

January 7

Charlie Parker Quintet

Kenny Dorham (tp); Charlie Parker (as); Al Haig (p); Tommy Potter (b); Max Roach (d).

Joe Harris replaced Max Roach for some days in January because of Max Roach’s wedding.

Charlie Ventura Band

Norman Faye (tp); Bennie Green (tb); Ben Ventura (as, bars); Charlie Ventura (ts, bars); Roy Kral (p); Ken O’Brien (b); Ed Shaughnessy (d); Jackie Cain (voc).

Conte Candoli replaced Norman Faye in this period.

Flip Phillips Band

Incl. Flip Phillips (ts), Curly Russell (b); Shelly Manne (d).

(Closing January 18).

Kenny Hagood (voc).

Royal Roost, New York, NY.

January 7—19.

January 8:

No surviving WMCA broadcast.

January 15:

WMCA broadcast. 3—4 a.m. Symphony Sid (mc).

Charlie Parker Quintet incl. Joe Harris (d); Charlie Ventura band; Flip Phillips Band; Jam session. Here Candoli has replaced Faye. Ben Ventura may still have been in the band.

Recordings exist.

Probably also Kenny Hagood, but recordings seem not to have survived.

 

“Goings on About Town: Royal Roost,” New Yorker, January 8, 1949, 6: Parker Charlie Ventura, Flip Phillips.

“Round Midnight,” Philadelphia Tribune, January 8, 1949, 12: Ventura and Parker remain. Flip Phillips and Shelly Manne moved in yesterday.

“Goings on About Town: Royal Roost,” New Yorker, January 15, 1949, 6: Charlie Ventura, Charlie Parker, and through January 18 Flip Phillips.”

 "Dan Burley's Back Door Stuff," New York Age, January 15, 1949, 7: Flip Phillips, Charlie Parker Quintet, Charlie Ventura, Kenny Hagood.

“Music–As Written, Billboard, January 22, 1949:  20: Conte Candoli and Boots Mussuli replaced Norman Faye and Ben Ventura.

“Boppers Taking Breather In NYC,” Down Beat, 28 January 1949: 1: “Roost held over the Charlie Ventura and Charlie Parker groups and added that of another award winning saxist, Flip Phillips. To the lineup Kenny Hagood, former Gillespie singer, also was added.

Statement of Charlie Parker account from the Gale Agency dated April 25, 1949. A scan is shown in K. Vail (ed.), Charlie Parker & Jazz Club Memorabilia  (2007), 44: Shows January 12 receipt of $450 for Roost engagement.

Boris Rose’s Birdland Book.

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=490115

 

January 20

Dinah Washington

The Ravens

Harry Belafonte

Charlie Ventura

Conte Candoli (tp); Bennie Green (tb); Charlie Kennedy (as & bars); Charlie Ventura (ts & bars); Roy Kral (p); Ken O’Brien (b): Ed Shaughnessy (d); Jackie Cain (voc).

Charlie Kennedy was replaced by Boots Mussuli during this engagement.

Charlie Parker Quintet

Kenny Dorham (tp); Charlie Parker (as); Al Haig (p); Tommy Potter (b); Max Roach (d).

Tadd Dameron Big Ten

Leonard Hawkins (tp); Ted Kelly (tb); Sahib Shihab (as): Benjamin Lundy (ts); Cecil Payne (bs); Tadd Dameron (p); John Collins (g); Curley Russell (b); Kenny Clarke (d).

(This band was at the Roost on Friday, February 11, probably as relief for Charlie Parker, who performed for JATP at Carnegie Hall this night but also had a broadcast spot at the Roost later in the night).

Royal Roost, New York, NY.

January 20—February 16.

January 22:

WMCA broadcast. 3—4 a.m. Symphony Sid (mc).

Charlie Parker Quintet; Charlie Ventura Orchestra.

Recordings exist.

Probably also Dinah Washington & the Ravens and Belafonte, but recordings seem not to have survived.

January 29:

WMCA broadcast. 3—4 a.m. Symphony Sid (mc).

Charlie Parker Quintet; Charlie Ventura Orchestra. Charlie Kennedy has replaced Ben Ventura here.

Recordings exist.

Probably also Dinah Washington & the Ravens and Belafonte, but recordings seem not to have survived.

February 5:

WMCA broadcast. 3—4 a.m. Symphony Sid (mc).

Charlie Parker Quintet and Charlie Ventura Orchestra.

Recordings exist.

Probably also Dinah Washington & the Ravens and Belafonte, but recordings seem not to have survived.

February 12:

WMCA broadcast. 3—4 a.m. Symphony Sid (mc).

Tadd Dameron Big Ten and Charlie Parker Quintet

Recordings exist.

Probably also Ventura, Dinah Washington & the Ravens, and Belafonte, but recordings seem not to have survived.

 

“Goings on About Town: Royal Roost,” New Yorker, January 15, 1949, 6: “Dinah Washington will open Wednesday, January 19.

K. Vail, Bird’s Diary (1996), 49: Shows ad from unidentified newspaper: Opening Thursday: The Ravens, Dinah Washington, and Harry Belafonte. Charlie Ventura and Charlie Parker held over.

 “Goings on About Town: Royal Roost,” New Yorker, January 22, 1949, 6: Charlie Ventura, Charlie Parker, and Dinah Washington.

“Navy Vet, 24, Hit B’way Over Night,” Baltimore Afro-American, February 12, 1949, first news section, 2: Harry Belafonte auditioned at the Roost on January 11 and immediately got a 5-week contract.

“On the Upbeat,” Variety, February 9, 1949, 48: Belafonte auditioned on a Monday night (after midnight?) and got a job at the Roost.

 “Goings on About Town: Royal Roost,” New Yorker, February 12, 1949: Charlie Ventura and Charlie Parker. Dinah Washington sings, (through February 16). Tadd Dameron and his band will replace the Ventura crowd on February 17.

The Symphony Sid announcements on the broadcast of February 12 states that Dameron’s group will open on Thursday after Dinah Washington, The Ravens, and Charlie Ventura leaves on Wednesday.

"Conte, Boots Join Ventura’s Bop-Styled Band," Down Beat, April 8, 1949, 1: Photo from the Royal Roost and text: Candoli and Mussuli are in the band.

Statement of Charlie Parker account from the Gale Agency dated April 25, 1949. A scan is shown in K. Vail (ed.), Charlie Parker & Jazz Club Memorabilia (2007), 44: Shows January 19, 24, February 3, 10, and 17 receipts of $600, for Roost engagements.

Boris Rose’s Birdland Book.

Symphony Sid in  R.G. Reisner, Bird  - The Legend of Charlie Parker (1963), 218–219: “I’ll never forget one night. Charlie Parker, as you know, was using whatever he was using. We used to do a Friday night remote where we took our microphones down to The Roost. We usually started with our theme, “Jumping with Symphony Sid.” Parker got up and, just about in the middle of the theme, sat down in a chair and fell asleep—which to me was the wildest thing in the world. Here in the middle of a broadcast—in the only program that was doing jazz—he falls asleep.”

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=490122

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=490129

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=490205

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=490212

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/Sessions.aspx?s=490212

 

 

January late

Charlie Parker

Release of Savoy Presents Charlie Parker

Savoy S-510

3 10” 78 rpm. records album.

These records were also sold as singles.

 

Recorded September 18, 1948.

Charlie Parker All Stars

Savoy 937-A

Steeplechase

Savoy 937-B

Merry Go-Round

Savoy 938-A

Perhaps

Savoy 938-B

Marmaduke

Savoy 939-A

Constellation

Savoy 939-B

Ah-Leu-Cha

 

Hudson-Ross ad in Chicago Tribune, February 24, 1949, part 2, 15. 

"New Popular R: records," St. Louis Post-Dispatch, March 23, 1949, 4D: mention of this album.

Ad from Melody Shop, Pittsburgh Courier, April 30, 1949, 17: Single records containing Constellation, Marmaduke, and Steeplechase are listed.

 

January late

Machito and His Orchestra

Release of Mercury 11012.

10” 78 rpm. record.

 

Recorded December 20, 1948.

Machito and His Orchestra 

(Soloist Flip Phillips) 

Mercury 11012-A

No Noise part 1

 (Soloist Charlie Parker) 

Mercury 11012-B

No Noise part 2

 

"Advance Record Releases: Hot Jazz," Billboard, February 5, 1949, 102.

"Record Reviews: Hot Jazz," Billboard, February 19, 1949, 108: Positive review especially of the Parker side.

"New Popular Records," St. Louis Post-Dispatch, February 9, 1949, 4D: Positive mention.

 

February 11

Concert

JATP Tour Group & Charlie Parker

Charlie Parker (as); Fats Navarro (tp); Tommy Turk (tb); Sonny Criss (as); Coleman Hawkins, Flip Phillips (ts); Hank Jones (p); Ray Brown (b); Shelley Manne (d); Ella Fitzgerald (voc).

Machito and his Orchestra featuring Charlie Parker

Charlie Parker (as); Mario Bauza, Frank Davilla, Bob Woodlen (tp); Gene Johnson, Fred Skerritt (as); Jose Madera (ts); Leslie Johnakins (bs); Rene Hernandez (p); Roberto Rodriguez (b); Jose Manguel (bgo); Luis Miranda (cng); Umbaldo Nieto (timbales); Frank Grillo (maracas).

February 11, 1949. 11:30 p.m.

Carnegie Hall. New York, NY.

Norman Granz (mc).

JATP concert recordings exist.

 

Ad in Daily News, February 9, 1949, 68.“With a Hoot and a Howl, JATP Kicks Off Another,” Down Beat, April 8, 1949, 12: Review.Boris Rose Birdland book: BOP - 1950 #16.

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=490211

February mid

Metronome All Stars

Release of RCA-Victor 20-3361.

10” 78 rpm. record.

 

Recorded January 3, 1949.

Metronome All Stars

RCA Victor 20-3361-A

Overtime

RCA Victor 203361-B

Victory Ball

 

“New Popular Records," St. Louis Post-Dispatch, February 23, 1949, 4D: Positive review. Mentions also a 12" release for collectors.

G. Simon: ”Your Dream Date Comes True: Metronome All Stats Wax Great Sides,” Metronome, March 1949, 13:  mentions that a 12 “ record will be released later.

The 12” record release does not seem to have been realized.

"Advance Record Releases: Hot Jazz," Billboard, March 5, 1949, 35.

"Record Reviews: Hot Jazz," Billboard, March 26, 1949, 38: positive review.

“Diggin’ the Discs with Tom: Combo Jazz,” Down Beat, April 8, 1949, 14: Rating: Overtime: 3 notes (tasty); Victory Ball: 4 notes (tops).

“Records Noted,” Record Changer, June 1949, 13: Positive review.

 

February 17

Charlie Parker Quintet

Kenny Dorham (tp); Charlie Parker (as); Al Haig (p); Tommy Potter (b); Max Roach (d).

Tadd Dameron Big Ten

Miles Davis (tp); Kai Winding (tb); Sahib Shihab (as); Benjamin Lundy (ts); Cecil Payne (bs); Tadd Dameron (p); John Collins (g); Curley Russell (b); Kenny Clarke (d); Carlos Vidal (cng).

Harry Belafonte (voc)

The Orioles (voc)

(Maybe cancelled)

Royal Roost, New York, NY.

February 17-23, 1949.

February 19:

WMCA broadcast. 3–4 a.m. Symphony Sid (mc).

Charlie Parker Quintet and Tadd Dameron Big Ten. Probably also Belafonte and possibly also the Orioles, but recordings seem not to have survived.

Recordings exist.

 

“Goings on About Town: Royal Roost,” New Yorker, February 12, 1949, 7: Tadd Dameron and his band will replace Ventura on February 17.

“Orioles Make Royal Roost,” Baltimore Afro-American, February 15, 1949, first news section, 8: “The Orioles will make their debut on Broadway in headlining a four-week show at the Royal Roost, beginning Thursday.

Statement of Charlie Parker account from the Gale Agency dated April 25, 1949. A scan is shown in K. Vail (ed.), Charlie Parker & Jazz Club Memorabilia (2007), 44: Shows February 24 receipt of $600 Roost engagement.

Boris Rose’s Birdland Book.

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=490219

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/Sessions.aspx?s=490219

Charles Delaunay, “Impressions d’Amerique,” Jazz Hot, Avril 1949, 32–33: Photo of Delaunay presenting a 2nd  place alto sax Down Beat 1949 Poll plaque to Parker at the Royal Roost, probably on Saturday, February 19.

February 20

Be-Bop Benefit for Leo Parker

Babs Gonsalves 3 Bips and A Bop; Charlie Parker, Tadd Dameron, Wynton Kelly, Miles Davis, Cecil Payne, Jack ‘The Bear’ Parker, Max Roach, Kenny Clarke, Sonny Rollins, Pee Wee Tinney, Dave Burns, Arturo Phipps, and Tommy Potter.

Royal Roost, New York, NY.

3-7 p.m.

 

Ad in New York Amsterdam News, January 22, 1949, 7.

February 21

Cavalcade of Stars

Among others: Charlie Parker and Royal Roost Bob [sic] Stars.

Loew’s Victoria Theatre, New York NY.

(Monday 20, midnight to 5 am.)

Benefit for USO sponsored by the New York Age.

 

"Tallulah Bankhead to Appear on Age Benefit Show at Victoria Feb. 21," New York Age, February  12, 1949, 1.

Ad in New York Age February 19, 1949, 10.

February 21

WPIX Jazz Concert

Charlie Parker Quintet

Piero Picconi (p)

Sidney Bechet Band

Shorty Sherock (tp); Benny Morton (tb); Sidney Bechet (ss); Joe Bushkin (p); Chubby Jackson (b); George Wettling (d).

Teddy Hale (tap dance).

WPIX TV studio, New York, NY.

February 21, 1949, 7:30–8:00 p.m.

Chubby Jackson and Charles Delaunay (mc).

Sound recordings and a kinescope fragment exist.

 

“Television,” Brooklyn Eagle, February 21, 1949, 17: WPIX 7:30: Jazz concert with Dixieland combo.

“Television,” New York Times, February 21, 1949, ?: 7:30 pm.: WPIX: Jazz. Concert: Pierro Piccione [sic] pianist – others.

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=490221

www.youtube.com/watch?v=xx_TIs8l6rA&feature=youtu.be

http://jazzontherecord.blogspot.dk/

Charles Delaunay, “Impressions d’Amerique,” Jazz Hot, Avril 1949, 32–33: Photo of Delaunay presenting a 2nd place alto sax Down Beat 1949 Poll plaque to Parker at the Royal Roost, probably on Saturday, February 19.

A. Mazzoletti, Il jazz in Italia, Vol. 2: Dallo swing agli anni Sessanta (2010,) 338. The Italian pianist Piero Piccioni took part in this program and substituted Al Haig in a quintet performance of Ko-Ko. He also played in trio with Chubby Jackson and George Wettling. Here he was probably accompanying Parker on the track of Now’s the Time.

 

February 24

 

Charlie Parker Septet

Kenny Dorham (tp); Charlie Parker (as); Lucky Thompson (ts); Milt Jackson (vib); Al Haig (p); Tommy Potter (b); Max Roach (d).

Tadd Dameron Big Ten

Miles Davis (tp); Kai Winding (tb); Sahib Shihab (as); Benjamin Lundy (ts); Cecil Payne (bs); Tadd Dameron (p); John Collins (g); Curley Russell (b); Kenny Clarke (d); Carlos Vidal (cng).

Buddy Stewart & Dave Lambert (voc)

Harry Belafonte (voc)

Ginnie Powell (voc)

Royal Roost, New York, NY.

February 24-March 2.

February 26:

WMCA broadcast. 3–4 a.m. Symphony Sid (mc).

Charlie Parker Septet; Tadd Dameron Big Ten; Stewart & Lambert. Probably also Belafonte and Ginnie Powell, but recordings seem not to have survived.

Recordings exist.

 

Ad in Daily News, February 25, 1949, 63: Opening tonight.

Statement of Charlie Parker account from the Gale Agency dated April 25, 1949. A scan is shown in K. Vail (ed.), Charlie Parker & Jazz Club Memorabilia (2007), 44: Shows March 3 receipt of $600 for Roost engagement.

Boris Rose’s Birdland Book.

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=490226

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/Sessions.aspx?s=490226

 

 

March

Jay McShann and His Orchestra

Release of Coral 60034.

Reissue of Decca 4418 on a new label.

10” 78 rpm. record.

 

Recorded July 2, 1942.

Jay McShann and His Orchestra

Coral 60034 A

Get Me on Your Mind

Coral 60034 B

The Jumpin’ Blues

 

“Record Reviews: Race,” Billboard, March 26, 1949, 117.

 

 

March

Charlie Parker

Release of Dial 1003

10” 78 rpm. record.

 

Recorded December 17, 1947.

Charlie Parker Quintet

Dial 1034-A

Crazeology

Charlie Parker

Dial 1034-B

Crazeology II (3 ways of playing a chorus)

 

"New Popular Records," St. Louis Post-Dispatch, April 6, 1949, 4D: mention of this record.

“Diggin’ the Discs with Mix: Combo Jazz,” Down Beat, June 17, 1949, 14: Rating:  Crazeology I:  1 note (tedious); Crazeology II : 3 Notes (tasty).

“Record Reviews,” Metronome, September 1949, 38: Crazeology: C+ (fair);  Crazeology II: B- (poor).

 

 

March 3

Chubby Jackson Orchestra

13 pieces.

(From March 4).

Charlie Parker Septet

Kenny Dorham (tp); Charlie Parker (as); Lucky Thompson (ts); Milt Jackson (vib); Al Haig (p); Tommy Potter (b); Max Roach (d).

Buddy Stewart - Dave Lambert

(voc).

Tadd Dameron Big Ten

Miles Davis (tp); Kai Winding (tb); Sahib Shihab (as); Benjamin Lundy (ts); Cecil Payne (bs); Tadd Dameron (p); John Collins (g); Curley Russell (b); Kenny Clarke (d); Carlos Vidal (cng).

Royal Roost, New York, NY.

March 3-15.

March 5:

WMCA broadcast. 3–4 a.m. Symphony Sid (mc).

Chubby Jackson, Charlie Parker Septet, Tadd Dameron, and Stewart & Lambert.

Recordings exist.

March 12:

WMCA broadcast. 3–4 a.m. Symphony Sid (mc).

Chubby Jackson Orchestra and Charlie Parker Septet.

Recordings exist.

 

Ad in Brooklyn Eagle, March 3, 1949, 20: Opening tonight.

“Music—As Written,” Billboard, March 12, 1949, 29: Chubby Jackson’s 13-piece band opened yesterday on March 4 in a hurried booking.

“Music—As Written,” Billboard, March 5, 1949: 40: Lambert and Stewart double at the Apollo the week of April 4 [sic! Meaning March 4].

Statement of Charlie Parker account from the Gale Agency dated April 25, 1949. A scan is shown in K. Vail (ed.), Charlie Parker & Jazz Club Memorabilia (2007), 44: Shows March 15 receipt of $690, and March 17 receipt of $113.92 for Roost engagement.

Boris Rose’s Birdland Book.

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=490305

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/Sessions.aspx?s=490305

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=490312

 

March 5

Battle of Bands

Charlie Parker All Stars

Kenny Dorham (tp); Charlie Parker (as); Lucky Thompson (ts); Milt Jackson (vib); Al Haig (p); Tommy Potter (b); Max Roach (d).

Sidney Bechet

Wilbur De Paris (tb); Buster Bailey (cl); Sidney Bechet (ss); Ralph Sutton (p); Walter Page (b); George Wettling (d).

Waldorf Astoria Hotel, New York, NY.

New York Herald Tribune (arr). Rudi Blesh (mc)

Private recordings exist.

 

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=490305c

I have not been able to find this event in radio logs, so the recording may be an audience recording.

 

 

March 11

Adventures in Jazz

Miles Davis, Max Kaminsky, Yank Lawson Kai Winding, Joe Marsala, Charlie Parker, Joe Sullivan, Mike Coluccio, Specs Powell, Max Roach, Ann Hathaway; Will Bradley Orchestra; Bill Williams (mc).

WCBS-TV Show.

8-8:30 p.m.

Probably prerecorded on kinescope.

Parts of the soundtrack of this show have survived.

 

"Programs on the Air," New York Times, March 11, 1949, 50: Joe Sullivan, Yank Lawson, Joe Marsala, Charlie Parker, and others.

https://www.plosin.com/MilesAhead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=490304

The conventional date for these recordings is March 4, but the television program in New York Times show another program on this date.

"Programs on the Air," New York Times, March 11, 1949, 50: Mildred Bailey, Ellis Larkin, Chubby Jackson, and others.

“Men Here Blew Fine Underwood,” Billboard, March 12, 1949, 48: This notice tells that the program of March 4 had a quintet of jazz critics performing Exactly Like You (Bill Simon, Mike Levine, Leonard Feather, Les Lieber, and George Simon.

 

 

 

 

 

March 13

Bop in The Bronx

Miles Davis (tp); Kai Winding (tb); Charlie Parker (as); Ike Quebec (ts); Milt Jackson (vib); Tadd Dameron (p); Curly Russell (b); Max Roach (d).

Bronx Winter Garden, New York, NY.

2 p.m.

 

Ad in New York Amsterdam News, March 12, 1949, 4.

March mid

Charlie Parker Quintet?

Graham, Newark, NJ.

Weekend engagement.

 

“Jersey Nights,” New York Age, March 26, 1949, 11.

Statement of Charlie Parker account from the Gale Agency dated April 25, 1949. A scan is shown in K. Vail (ed.), Charlie Parker & Jazz Club Memorabilia (2007), 44: Shows March 23 receipt of $220 for Newark and Philadelphia dates.

 

March mid

Charlie Parker Quintet?

Philadelphia, PA.

Statement of Charlie Parker account from the Gale Agency dated April 25, 1949. A scan is shown in K. Vail (ed.), Charlie Parker & Jazz Club Memorabilia (2007), 44: Shows March 23 receipt of $220 for Newark and Philadelphia dates.

 

March 25

Charlie Parker Quintet

Kenny Dorham (tp); Charlie Parker (as); Al Haig (p); Tommy Potter (b); Max Roach (d).

Amity Hall, Buffalo, NY.

10­­–2 a.m.

 

K. Vail, Bird's Diary (1996), 54: Contract is shown.

March late

Charlie Parker

Release of Mercury 11017

10” 78 rpm. record.

 

Recorded December 20, 1948.

Charlie Parker soloist - Machito and His Orchestra

Mercury 11017-A

Mango Mangue

Mercury 11017-B

Okiedoke

 

"New Popular Records," St. Louis Post-Dispatch, March 23, 1949, 4D: positive mention of record.

"Advance Record Releases," Billboard, March 26, 1949, 115.

"Record Reviews: Hot Jazz," Billboard, April 16, 1949, 138: review.

“Diggin’ the Discs with Mix: Band Jazz,” Down Beat, May 20, 1949, 14: Rating: Both sides: 3 notes (tasty). Very positive.

 

 

March 28

Charlie Parker Quintet

Kenny Dorham (tp); Charlie Parker (as); Al Haig (p); Tommy Potter (b); Max Roach (d);  Arthur “Junior” Daniels (voc).

Larry Steele and His Revue

Featuring Patterson & Jackson (comedy); Ralph Brown Rhythmites Trio; Ethel Duncan

Lonnie Simmons and His Band

New Beige Room, Pershing Hotel, Chicago, IL.

Probably March 28–April 8.

Existing private recordings (lacquers) from Pershing Ballroom may be from this period.

 

Ad in Chicago Defender April 2, 1949, 35: Charlie Parker featuring Max Roach at the New Beige Room.

“Where the Bands Are Playing,” Down Beat, April 8, 1949, 17: Gives dates March 28–April 10.

“Windy City Chatter,” Plaindealer (Kansas City, KS), April 8, 1949, 5: Parker at the Beige Room, opposite Patterson & Jackson (comedians), also Lonnie Simmons and his Band. Larry Siecle [sic] (mc). Al Benson owner.

Ad in Chicago Defender April 9, 1949, 39: Ivory Joe Hunter at the New Beige Room. 

“Chicago Band Briefs,” Down Beat, April 22, 1949, 4: Tells this engagement was cancelled.

“Chicago Band Briefs," Down Beat, May 6, 1949, 4: Tells that Parker came anyway with his quintet and Arthur Daniels.

Statement of Charlie Parker account from the Gale Agency dated April 25, 1949. A scan is shown in K. Vail (ed.), Charlie Parker & Jazz Club Memorabilia (2007), 44: Shows April 12 receipt of $490 for Chicago, Beige Room engagement.

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=490328

 

April early

Charlie Parker Quintet

Roosevelt College, Chicago, IL.

J. Segal, “Bird in Chicago,” Down Beat, March 11, 1965, 18: Segal mentions an appearance of the Parker quintet at Roosevelt sponsored by a group of students.

 

April 11

Charlie Parker Quintet

Music Bowl, Chicago, IL.

April 11-24.

Cancelled.

 

“Chicago Band Briefs,” Down Beat. March 11, 1949, 4:  Two weeks following the engagement at Beige Room. Starting April 11."Tower Ticker," Chicago Tribune, March 9, 1949, 27: The Music Bowl has folded and will become a taxi dance resort.

 “Billie Gets Month’s Delay in Dope Trial,” Down Beat, April 8, 1949, 1: Billie Holiday was scheduled to go into the Music Bowl on April 15, but the Bowl folded.

 

April mid

Charlie Parker Quintet

Miramar Ballroom, Gary, IN.

 

“Stravinsky, Bird, Vibes Gas Roach,” Down Beat, June 3, 1949, 6: In this interview with Max Roach the Gary, IN, gig is mentioned as coming some days after the end of the Beige Room gig.

 

April mid

Charlie Parker Quintet

Mirror Ballroom, Detroit, MI.

Kenny Dorham (tp); Charlie Parker (as); Al Haig (p); Tommy Potter (b); Max Roach (d); Arthur “Junior” Daniels (voc).

 

Unpublished Gary Garner interview with Oliver Shearer. This engagement was while Dizzy Gillespie was performing at the Paradise Theater.

Ad in Detroit Free Press, April 12, 1949, 21: Dizzy Gillespie played at the re-opened Paradise Theater April 15–21, 1949.

A photo from this Mirror event may exist:

 https://www.instagram.com/p/CEea9GJjQcq/

 

April 24

 

Charlie Parker and His All-Star Boppers

Kenny Dorham (tp); Charlie Parker (as); Al Haig (p); Tommy Potter (b); Max Roach (d); Arthur “Junior” Daniels (voc).

8:30 p.m.

Bushnell Memorial Auditorium, Hartford, CT.

Art Slade (mc).

 

Ad in Springfield Union, CT. April 21, 1949, 27

Ad in Hartford Courant, April 24, 1949, 8 E.

"Many-sided Slade," Hartford Courant, April 24, 1949: Last of six popular concerts produced by Art Slade. Bringing Charlie Parker and his outfit from New York. "In the crew, there is a lad billed only as Junior. He was Billy Eckstine's valet before that big number found he had talent."

"Bebop Music Concert Held at Bushnell," Hartford Courant, April 25, 1949: Review. Arthur Daniels mentioned.

 

April 29

Charlie Parker Quintet

Kenny Dorham (tp); Charlie Parker (as); Al Haig (p); Tommy Potter (b); Max Roach (d).

Lester Young Band

Incl. Jesse Drakes (tp); Lester Young (ts); Roy Haynes (d).

Coliseum, Baltimore, MD.

Shriners Charity Ball.

 

“Shriners Give TV Set at Charity Dance,” Baltimore Afro-American, April 30, 1949, 1st news section 14: Concert at Coliseum Friday.

August Blume in R. Reisner: Bird: The Legend of Charlie Parker (1962), 55.

 

 

Spring

Charlie Parker

Release of Savoy 945.

10” 78 rpm. record.

 

Recorded November 26, 1945.

Charlie Parker and the Be Bop Boys

Savoy 945 A

Warming up a Riff (alternative take of Ko Ko)

The Be Bop Boys

Savoy 945 B

Thriving on a Riff (Anthropology) (alternative take of Thriving’ from a Riff)

 

The release date is not identified. Probably spring 1949, judging from the series numbers.

"Advance Records Releases," Billboard, April 30, 1949, 127:  Lists Savoy 944.

 

May

Charlie Parker

Release of Bird Blows the Blues

Dial DLP1

12 " 33 rpm. LP. Promo edition without a cover).

A commercial release of this record took place in December 1949.

Takes not previously released, with exception of 1071-A and 1102-B.

 

Charlie Parker and His Bebop Groups

DLP1 A:

Recorded February 26, 1947.

Relaxing at Camarillo (1071-A)

Carving the Bird (1073-B)

 

Recorded February 19, 1947.

Dark Shadows (1052-B)

 

Recorded February 19, 1947.

Blowtop Blues (Bird's Nest) (1054-A)

 

Recorded October 28, 1947.

Bongobop (Bongo Bop) (1102-A)

 

Recorded February 19, 1947.

Cool Blues (1054-C)

DLP1 B:

Recorded February 26, 1947.

Relaxing at Camarillo (1071-A)

Carvin’ the Bird (1073-B)

 

Recorded February 19, 1947.

Dark Shadows (1052-B)

Blowtop Blues (1054-A)

 

Recorded October 28, 1947:

 Bongobop (1102-A)

 

Recorded February 19, 1947.

Cool Blues (1954-C)

 

”Parker Bop Alto on 40-min. Disk,” Billboard, May 21, 1949, 35.

“Diggin’ the Discs with Mix: Combo Jazz,” Down Beat July 29, 1949, 14: Rating: Whole album: 3 notes (tasty).

“Album Reviews,”  Billboard, December 24, 1949, 94: Review of the commercial edition: Album with limited appeal.

 

 

May early?

Charlie Parker Quintet

Kenny Dorham (tp); Tommy Turk (tb); Charlie Parker (as); Al Haig (p); Tommy Potter (b); Max Roach (d); Carlos Vidal (cng).

Unidentified studio, New York, NY.

Commercial recordings for Mercury.

May early?

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=490505a

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=490505b

The recordings that include Tommy Turk and Carlos Vidal have earlier been dated April 1949. Tommy Turk was touring with JATP until March 30 and was afterwards playing in Detroit until late April. Charlie Parker was out of New York most of April, so one session for all the material sounds more plausible.

 

 

May 5

Festival International 1949 de Jazz

Sidney Bechet, Kenny Clarke, Tadd Dameron, Margaret Dameron, Miles Davis, Kenny Dorham, Al Haig, “Big Chief” Russell Moore,  Hot Lips Page, Charlie Parker,  Tommy Potter, Max Roach.

Departure to Paris.

 

www.ancestry.com: Air France flight no 008/90.  New York,–Gander, Newfoundland–Shannon, Eire­–Paris France.

Passenger list.

 

May 6

Festival International 1949 de Jazz

The troupe from New York arrives at Paris before noon.

 

www.ancestry.com: Air France flight no 008/90. 

K. Vail, Bird's Diary (1996), 56: mistakenly has May 7 as departure date, and  shows a photo of the arrival in Paris: Missing on the photo are Tadd Dameron and Kenny Clarke. Vail mistakenly has Howard McGhee, Flip Philips, and Doris Sydnor as participators. The female seen is Tadd Dameron’s wife.

 

May 7

Festival International 1949 de Jazz

Sally Pleyel and Club St. Germain, Paris, France.

Rehearsals.

Afternoon.

Pavillion de L’Elyssée

Cocktail party

Evening.

 

M. Gardner, liner notes to the LP, Bird in Paris, Spolite SPJ 118: Parker did not show up at Salle Pleyel.

K. Vail, Bird's Diary (1996), 58.

May 8

Festival International 1949 de Jazz

Sidney Bechet

(ss) accompanied by

Pierre Braslavsky and His Orchestra

and

Claude Luter and His Lorientais

Bill Coleman

(tp).

Rex Stewart

(tp).

Rowland Greenberg

(tp).

Jimmy McPartland

(tp) accompanied by

Carlo Krahmer Orchestra

Oran Hot Lips Page Band

Oran Hot Lips Page (tp); “Big Chief” Russell Moore (tb); George Johnson (as); Don Byas (ts).

accompanied by

Bernard Peiffer Trio

Bernard Peiffer (p); Jean Bouchety (b); Roger Paraboschi (d).

Miles Davis-Tadd Dameron Quintet

Miles Davis (tp); James Moody (ts); Tadd Dameron (p); Barney Spieler (b); Kenny Clarke (d).

Charlie Parker Quintet

Kenny Dorham (tp); Charlie Parker (as); Al Haig (p); Tommy Potter (b); Max Roach (d).

Vic Lewis Bopsters and Orchestra

United Kingdom)

Carlo Krahmer Orchestra

(United Kingdom)

Toots Thielemans Trio

The Bob Shots

(Belgium)

Hazy Österwald and His Quintet

Including Ernst Höllenhagen (cl); Hazy Österwald (vib).

(Switzerland)

Bernard Peiffer Trio

Bernard Peiffer (p); Bouchety (b); Paraboschi (d).

(France)

Jack Dieval and His Quintet

Bernhard Hulin (tp); Hubert Fol (sax); Jack Dieval (p); Emmanuel Soudieux (b); Richie Frost (d).

(France)

Hubert Rostaing and His Sextet

Aimé Barelli (tp); Hubert Rostaing (cl); André Ekyan (sax); Jean Claude Fohrenbach (ts); Leo Chauliac (p); Emmanuel Soudieux (b); Richie Frost (d).

(France)

Django Reinhardt and His Hot Club Quintet

(France)

Claude Luter and His Lorientais

Pierre Merlin, Claude Rabanit (cnt); Mowgli Jospin (tb); Claude Luter (cl); Christian Azzi (p); Claude Philippe (bjo); Roland Bianchini (b); François "Moustache" Galépidès (d).

(France)

Pierre Braslavsky and His Orchestra

Bernard Zacharias (tb); René Franc (cl); Pierre Braslavsky (ss); Eddie Bernard (p); Roger Karakosian (g); Alf Masselier (b);  Michel Pacout (d).

France)

French All Stars

Aimé Barelli (tp); Hubert Rostaing (cl); André Ekyan (sax); Jean Claude Fohrenbach (ts); Leo Chauliac (p); Lucien Simoens (b); unidentified (d).

France)

Swedish All Stars

Gösta Törner (tp); Putte Wickman (cl); Arne Domnerus (as); Carl-Henrik Norin (ts); Reinhold Svensson (p); Simon Brehm (b); Sven Bollhem (d); Alice Babs (voc).

(Sweden)

Valto Laitinen

(p).

(Finland)

Armando Trovajol

(p).

Italy)

Salle Pleyel, Paris, France.

May 8—15.

 

Festival poster.

https://www.plosin.com/images/display/19490508-Paris.jpg

Handbill: Festival Program.

https://www.plosin.com/images/display/19490508-Paris-list1.jpg

https://www.plosin.com/images/display/19490508-Paris-list2.jpg

A. Hodeir, “Le Festival 1949,” Jazz Hot, No. 34, June 1949, 6–10: Festival review.

https://www.plosin.com/images/display/19490508-Paris-Hodeir.pdf

Django Reinhardt and the Hot Club of France Quintet appears on the poster and the front page of the program handbill, but they are not mentioned in the back side program of the  handbill or in Hodeir’s review.

Pete Johnson is mentioned on the festival poster and the program handbill, but not in Hodeir’s review.

M. Westin, Charlie Parker I Sverige (2014), 20: Pete Johnson’s participation in the Festival was not realized. What was intended to be an European All Star group ended up as exclusive Swedish group. This is not mentioned on the festival poster and program handbill.

“Julaton Varje Dag I Paris,” Estrqd, June 1949, 4–6: Review with main focus on the Swedish group.

 

May 8

Festival International 1949 de Jazz

Opening Concert

Vic Lewis Orchestra (UK)

Miles Davis/Tadd Dameron Quintet

Oran Hot Lips Page Band

accompanied by

Bernard Peiffer Trio

Sidney Bechet

accompanied by

Pierre Braslavsky and His Orchestra

Swedish All Stars

Charlie Parker Quintet

Salle Pleyel, Paris, France.

8:45 p.m.

Private tape recordings exist.

 

Festival Program.

https://www.plosin.com/images/display/19490508-Paris-list1.jpg

https://www.plosin.com/images/display/19490508-Paris-list2.jpg

A. Hodeir, “Le Festival 1949,” Jazz Hot, No. 34, June 1949, 6–10: Festival review.

https://www.plosin.com/images/display/19490508-Paris-Hodeir.pdf

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/Sessions.aspx?s=490508a

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=490508b

“Julaton Varje Dag I Paris,” Estrqd, June 1949, 4–6.

M. Westin, Charlie Parker I Sverige (2014), 22–24:  Gives the concert order and tells that the Swedish group played just before

 

May 9

 

Festival International 1949 de Jazz

Bebop Concert

Jack Dieval and His Quintet

Miles Davis/Tadd Dameron Quintet

Vic Lewis Bopsters and Orchestra

Swedish All Stars

Charlie Parker Quintet

Salle Pleyel, Paris, France.

8:45 p.m.

Private tape recordings exist.

 

Festival Program.

https://www.plosin.com/images/display/19490508-Paris-list1.jpg

https://www.plosin.com/images/display/19490508-Paris-list2.jpg

A. Hodeir, “Le Festival 1949,” Jazz Hot, No. 34, June 1949, 6–10: Festival review.

https://www.plosin.com/images/display/19490508-Paris-Hodeir.pdf

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=490508b

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/Sessions.aspx?s=490509

M. Westin, Charlie Parker I Sverige (2014), 26: Sidney Bechet, Hot Lips Page, Parker, and the Swedish group played here  Source: Review in Estrad.

 

May 10

Concert

Charlie Parker Quintet

Rex Theatre, Marseilles, France.

 

“Activité Des Clubs,” Jazz Hot, June 1949, 30.

https://www.plosin.com/images/display/19490508-Paris-Hodeir.pdf

K. Vail, Bird's Diary (1996), 57: Has Just Marseilles here.

May 10

Concert

Charlie Parker Quintet

Martinez & Christera Club, Marseilles, France.

 

“Activité Des Clubs,” Jazz Hot, June 1949, 30.

K. Vail, Bird's Diary (1996), 57: Has Just Marseilles here.

May 11

Jam session

Charlie Parker

Hot Lips Page

Sidney Bechet

Rowland Greeberg

Jimmy McPartland

Hubert Rostaing

Swedish All Stars

Cité Universitaire, Paris, France.

Evening.

Jam Session and cocktail party.

 

K. Vail, Bird's Diary (1996), 57: has Parker at Res Theatre and  Martinez & Christera Club here.

M. Westin, Charlie Parker I Sverige (2014), 26, 28: Sidney Bechet, Hot Lips Page, Charlie Parker, and the Swedish group played here. Shows photo of Parker and the Swedes from the occasion..

Julaton Varje Dag I Paris,” Estrqd, June 1949, 4–6:

May 12

Concert

Charlie Parker Quintet

Colisée (movie theater), Rubaix, France.

Private tape recordings exist.

 

“Activité Des Clubs,” Jazz Hot, June 1949, 30.

K. Vail, Bird's Diary (1996), 57.

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=490512

 

 

May 13

Charlie Parker Quintet

Day off.

K. Vail, Bird's Diary (1996), 61.

M. Westin, Charlie Parker I Sverige (2014), 26.

 

May 14

Festival International 1949 de Jazz

Concert

Charlie Parker Quintet

The Bob Shots

Hazy Österwald and His Quintet

Miles Davis/Tadd Dameron Quintet

Salle Pleyel, Paris, France.

8:45 p.m.

 

Festival Program.

https://www.plosin.com/images/display/19490508-Paris-list.jpg

https://www.plosin.com/images/display/19490508-Paris-list2.jpg

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=490508b

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/Sessions.aspx?s=490509

M. Westin, Charlie Parker I Sverige (2014), 26. The Swedish All Stars had left Paris in the morning.

 

May 15

Festival International 1949 de Jazz

Concert

Sidney Bechet

accompanied by

Pierre Braslavsky and His Orchestra

Pete Johnson

Oran Hot Lips Page Band

accompanied by

Bernard Peiffer Trio

French All Stars

Miles Davis/Tadd Dameron Quintet

Charlie Parker Quintet

Salle Pleyel, Paris, France.

Matinee. 5:15 p.m.

Private tape recordings exist.

 

Festival Program.

https://www.plosin.com/images/display/19490508-Paris-list.jpg

https://www.plosin.com/images/display/19490508-Paris-list2.jpg

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=490508b

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/Sessions.aspx?s=490509

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=490515

 

 

May 15

Final concert

Sidney Bechet

accompanied by

Pierre Braslavsky and His Orchestra

Oran Hot Lips Page Band

accompanied by

Bernard Peiffer Trio

French All Stars

Miles Davis/Tadd Dameron Quintet

Charlie Parker Quintet

Salle Pleyel, Paris, France.

Jam Session

Kenny Dorham, Hot Lips Page, Miles Davis, Aimeé Barelli, Bill Coleman (tp), Russell "Big Chief" Moore (tb), Hubert Rostaing (cl), Sidney Bechet (ss), Charlie Parker (as), Don Byas, James Moody (ts), Hazy Österwald (vib), Al Haig (p), Toots Thielemans (g), Tommy Potter (b) and Max Roach (d).

Salle Pleyel, Paris, France.

8:45 pm.

Private tape recordings exist.

 

Festival Program.

https://www.plosin.com/images/display/19490508-Paris-list.jpg

https://www.plosin.com/images/display/19490508-Paris-list2.jpg

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=490508b

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/Sessions.aspx?s=490509

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=490515

 

May 15

Jam session

Charlie Parker and others.

Club St. Germain, Paris, France.

 

K. Vail, Bird's Diary (1996), 61.

May 16

Festival International 1949 de Jazz

Charlie Parker and others.

Departure by airplane from Paris.

 

K. Vail, Bird's Diary (1996), 61: Photos from departure.

www.ancestry.com: I have not been able to find a passenger list for this return.

May mid

Charlie Parker Quintet

Onyx Club, New York, New York.

2 weeks.

 

K. Vail, Bird's Diary (1996), 61: No source is given. I have not been able to verify suck an engagement.

 

May 21

Celebrity Fashion Show

Nancey Pepper

Kitty Kallen

Leonard Feather

Arnold Stang

Charlie Parker

Gimbel's, 33rd and Broadway, New York, NY.

11:00 a.m.

 

Ad for Gimbel's May Sale in Daily News, May 20, 1949, 23.

 

June 6

Charlie Parker Quintet

Kenny Dorham (tp); Charlie Parker (as); Al Haig (p); Tommy Potter (b); Max Roach (d); Art “Junior” Daniels (voc).

Continental Theater Bar, Milwaukee, WI.

June 6-12.

.

“Discovery Pacts Junior Daniels,” Billboard, May 28, 1949, 10: Junior Daniels is now featured with Charlie Parker.

Ad in Milwaukee Journal, June 3, 1949, 26: opening Monday for 7 days only.

"Bird, Ventura Leave Milwaukee," Down Beat, July 15, 1949: 18.

Ad in Milwaukee Journal, June 21, 1949, 24: Charlie Ventura opening Tuesday, June 21.

K. Vail, Bird's Diary (1996), 62-63: Photo of the Parker band on stage at the Blue Note. This is wrong. This  photo is from Milwaukee. The stage poster shows Charlie Ventura coming on Tuesday June 21.

 

June 14

Charlie Parker Quintet

Blue Note, Chicago, IL.

June 14-20.

This was not realized.

 

K. Vail, Bird's Diary (1996), 62.

This is a mistake. Blue Note ads in Chicago Tribune show Slim Gaillard, Charlie Ventura, and others at the Blue Note in June and July. Parker was not there.

Second half of the year

Charlie Parker

Release of Savoy 961 and 967.

!0” 78 rpm. records.

 

Parker does not appear on 967-B.

Recorded December 21, 1947.

Charlie Parker Quintette

Savoy 961-A

Another Hair-Do

Savoy 961-B

Blue Bird

 

Recorded December 21, 1947.

Charlie Parker All Stars

Savoy 967-A

Klaunstance

Recorded May 5, 1949

Stan Getz All Stars

Savoy 967-B

Slow

 

The release date is not identified. Probably second half of 1949, judging from the series numbers.

 

 June late

Charlie Parker

Release of Mercury 11022.

!0” 78 rpm. record.

 

Charlie Parker and His Orchestra

Recorded spring 1949

Mercury 11022 A

Visa

Recorded May 5, 1949.

Mercury 11022 B

Passport

 

“Diggin’ the Discs with Tom: Combo Jazz,” Down Beat, July 1, 1949, 14: Rating: Visa: 3 notes (tasty): Passport: 2 notes (tepid).

“Record Reviews,” Metronome, July 1949, 28: Both sides: C+ (fair).

 

July mid

Charlie Parker

Release of Dial 1015.

!0” 78 rpm. record.

Reissue with a new B-side.

 

Recorded February 19, 1947.

Charlie Parker Quartet

Dial 1015-A

Cool Blues

Recorded December 17, 1947.

Charlie Parker Sextet

Dial 1015-B

Quasimado

 

“New Popular Records,” St. Louis Post-Dispatch, July 27, 1949, 4D: critical review.

“Diggin’ the Discs with Mix: Combo Jazz – Errol Garner: both sides: 2 notes (tepid).

“Record Reviews: Hot Jazz,” Billboard, December 24, 1949, 102: favorable review of both sides.

 

 

August 4

Charlie Parker Quintet

Bop City, Broadway, New York, NY.

This was not realized.

 

“Diz' Bop City Lineup,” Down Beat, July 15, 1949, 3: Charlie Parker to open on August 4.

“Goings on About Town: Bop City,” New Yorker, August 6, 1949: 6: Ventura and Count Basie.

 

September 6

Concert

Charlie Parker Quintet; Errol Garner Trio; Lennie Tristano Sextet; Fats Navarro, Miles Davis, J. J. Johnson, Buddy DeFranco, Stan Getz, Bud Powell, Harry Belafonte, Junior Daniels, and others.

Town Hall, New York, NY.

Committee for the Negro in the Arts (prod)

Symphony Sid (mc).

First jazz benefit concert produced by an organization for young black artists. Preceding concerts by this organization featured classical music.

 

Errol Garner Tops Big Jazz Concert,” New York Age, September 3, 1949, 17: Errol Garner, Harry Belafonte, Lennie Tristano Sextet, Lee Konitz, Buddy DeFranco, Warne Marsh, Max Roach, Kenny Dorham, Tommy Potter, Bud Powell, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, and others.

“Notre Directeur Eddie Barclay a New York,” Jazz News (French) October 1949, 8–9: Mentions Fats Navarro participating.

“Town Hall Tempos,” Pittsburgh Courier, September 24, 1949, 18; Photos and text: Stan Getz, Miles Davis, J. J. Johnson, Junior Daniels, Al Haig, Charlie Parker, and Errol Garner Trio.

 

September 8

Opening concert

Charlie Parker Quintet

Kenny Dorham (tp); Charlie Parker (as): Al Haig (p); Tommy Potter (b); Max Roach (d).

Lennie Tristano Sextet

Lee Konitz (as); Warne Marsh (ts); Lennie Tristano (p); Billy Bauer (g); Arnold Fishkin (b); Jeff Morton (d).

Stan Getz (ts)

Bud Powell (p)

Harry Belafonte (voc)

Birdland, New York, NY.

The planned opening of Birdland on September 8 is cancelled because of a missing liquor license.

 

Opening program shown in K. Vail (ed.), Charlie Parker & Jazz Club Memorabilia (2007), 15.

Ad in Daily News, September 8, 1949, 75.

“New Bop Bistro in Clique Spot,” Billboard, August 13, 1949, 18.

“Jazz Booming Again in Gotham City;” Down Beat, August 26, 1949, 1. “Birdland Bistro Fails to Open; No Liquor OK,” Billboard, September 9, 1949, 18.

“City Halts Birdland Opening,” Down Beat, October 2, 1949, 3.

September 9

Charlie Parker

Down Beat publishes an extensive interview with Charlie Parker, where Parker tells his musical story and makes critical remarks concerning Gillespie and his role as a leading  Bebop musician.

Gillespie answers in Down Beat on October 2.

 

“No Bop Roots in Jazz,” Down Beat, September 9, 1949, 1, 12–13, and 19.

“Bird Wrong; Bop Must Get a Beat: Diz,” Down Beat, October 2, 1949, 1, 12.

September 17

 

JATP Concert

Charlie Parker

Roy Eldridge

Oscar Peterson

JATP Tour Group.

Tommy Turk (tb); Lester Young, Flip Phillips (ts); Hank Jones (p); Ray Brown {b); Buddy Rich (d), Ella Fitzgerald (voc).

Carnegie Hall, New York, NY.

September 17/18 Midnight

Commercial concert recordings by Mercury.

 

Billboard, September 24, 1949, 21: Article dated September 17: Mentions that Charlie Parker and Oscar Peterson will be at the Carnegie Hall bill as surprise starters.

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=490917

K. Vail, Bird's Diary (1996), 65: States that Charlie Parker joins the JATP Fall Tour.

This is not generally true: Parker was not at the opening concert at the Bushnell Auditorium on September 16, nor was he announced for the U-line, Washington, DC., concert on September 18. An ad in Washington Afro-American (September 13, 1949, 8) has Fats Navarro and Shelly Manne on this bill. This may be a mistake, or it may indicate a last-minute change in the tour personnel. Buddy Rich was the drummer on the tour, and apart from the Carnegie Hall concert which featured Roy Eldridge, no trumpeter was participating in the tour.

Other ads and reviews have no traces of Parker:

Ad in Hartford Courant, September 15, 1949, 10: Parker not on the bill.

“Bushnell Audience Greets Granz with Enthusiasm,” Hartford Courant, September 17, 1949, 10: Review. No mention of Parker.

“Bop Bugs Due for ‘Kicks’ From JATP,” Washington Afro-American, September 18, 1949: No mention of Parker.

“JATP Company Skeds Extensive Tour with Heavy Talent,” Billboard, September 24, 1949, 21: Article dated September 17. No mention of Parker.

Ad in Boston Herald, September 19, 1949, 31: Fitzgerald, Phillips, Young, Hawkins, Brown, Turk, Hank Joes, and other All Stars.

"Norman Granz in Jazz Concert," Boston Herald, September 26, 1949, 14: Mention of Flip Phillips, Buddy Rich, and Ella Fitzgerald.

Ad in Plain Dealer (Cleveland, OH), September 28, 1949, 25: Parker is not on the bill.

 

September 18

JATP Concert

Charlie Parker?

JATP Tour Group.

U-line Arena, Washington, DC.

8:30 p.m.

 

Ad in Washington Afro-American, September 13, 1949, 8: No mention of Parker.

“Bop Bugs Due for ‘Kicks’ From JATP,” Washington Afro-American, September 18, 1949: No mention of Parker.

K. Vail, Bird's Diary (1996), 67: Has Charlie Parker participating here.

Information from Tad Hershorn: Charlie Parker is on the bill here according to ad in Washington Post, September 18?, 1949.

 

September 30

JATP Concert

Charlie Parker?

JATP Tour Group.

Music Hall, Cleveland, OH. 

8:30 p.m.

Ad in Plain Dealer (Cleveland, OH), September 28, 1949, 25: Parker is not on the bill.

K. Vail, Bird's Diary (1996), 67: Has Charlie Parker participating here. I doubt this.

 

October 1

JATP Concert

Charlie Parker?

JATP Tour Group

Masonic Hall, Detroit, MI.

 

Ad in Detroit Free Press, September 26, 1949, 26: this ad only lists the tour group.

K. Vail, Bird's Diary (1996), 67: Has Charlie Parker participating here.

Information from Tad Hershorn: Charlie Parker is on the bill here according to ad and article in Michigan Chronicle, October 1, 1949, 23.

 

October 1

Charlie Parker

acc. by Phil Hill Quintet

Tate Houston (bars); Phil Hill (p); James "Beans" Richardson (b); Art Mardigan (d); Jack Tiant (bgo.)

Bluebird Inn, Detroit, MI.

Private tape recording exists.

 

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=491001

K. Vail, Bird's Diary (1996), 67: Parker appears with JATP at Masonic Hall, Detroit, MI, and jams afterwards at the Bluebird Inn.

October early

Charlie Parker

Claude McLin Orchestra

Tommy Dean Orchestra

Pershing Ballroom, Chicago, IL.

Al Benson (prod).

 

“Windy City Chatter,” Black Dispatch, October 8, 1949, 5.

October 6

Charlie Parker Quintet

Red Rodney (tp); Charlie Parker (as); Al Haig (p); Tommy Potter

(b); Max Roach (d).

Roy Haynes replaces Max Roach during this engagement.

Slam Stewart Trio

Beryl Booker (p); Junior Collins (g); Slam Stewart (b).

Three Deuces, New York, NY

October 6– November early.

 

Goings on about Town.” New Yorker, October 8, 15, 22, and 29, 1949: Slam Stewart band, Charlie Parker band.

“Three Deuces Now Using Slam, Parker,” Down Beat, November 4, 1949, 1: “After three months bangup business with Garner the Three Deuces changed its show October 6.”

“J. J. Johnson Takes Combo to 3 Deuces, Doan Beat, December 16, 1949, 11: Johnson replaced Parker in November.

“Capsule Comments,” Down Beat, November 18, 1949, 12: Review, which gives the personnel.

 

October mid

Red Norvo All Stars 

Release of Dial 1035.

10” 78 rpm. records (4-minute sides on 10" discs).

Reissue of unreleased Comet masters by a new record company.

 

Recorded June 6, 1945

Red Norvo All Stars

Dial 1035-A

Get Happy

Dial 1035-B

Congo Blues

 

"New Popular Records," St. Louis Post-Dispatch, October 19, 1949, 6D: mention of this record.

“Diggin’ the Discs with Mix: Combo Jazz,” Down Beat, January 27, 1950, 14: Rating: both side: 3 notes (tasty).

 

 

November 11

Billy Eckstine

Herbie Fields and His Orchestra

Charlie Parker Quintet

Red Rodney (tp); Charlie Parker (as); Al Haig (p); Tommy Potter (b); Roy Haynes (d).

Bop City, New York, NY.

November 11-23.

Ad in Daily News, November 11, 1949, 77; Opening tonight: Eckstine, Fields, and Parker.

“Night Club Reviews: Bop City, N. Y.” Variety, November 16, 1949, 61.

“C. Dahlgreen: “Nytt Fran New York,” Orkester Journalen, January 1950, 12: Gives personnel for Parker Quintet, and tells about Haynes replacing Roach.

Ad in Daily News, November 24, 1949, 70; Opening tonight: Fields, Herb Jeffries, Buddy Johnson, and Charlie Ventura.

November 30

Charlie Parker with Strings

Charlie Parker (as); Mitch Miller (oboe); Bronislaw Gimpel, Max Hollander, Milton Lomask (vln); Frank Brieff (viola); Frank Miller (cello); Meyer Rosen (harp); Stan Freeman (p); Ray Brown (b); Buddy Rich (d); Jimmy Carroll (arr & dir).

Reeves Sound Studios, 304 East 44th Street, New York, NY.

Commercial recordings for Mercury.

 

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=491130

http://www.jazzdisco.org/charlie-parker/discography/

http://www.preservationsound.com/?p=7848

 

 

December

Charlie Parker

Release of Bird Blows the Blues

Dial LP 901

12 "33 rpm. LP.

Reissue of DLP1 with a new series number and an album cover.

 

DLP1 A:

Recorded February 26, 1947.

Relaxing at Camarillo (1071-A)

Carving the Bird (1073-B)

 

Recorded February 19, 1947.

Dark Shadows (1052-B)

 

Recorded February 19, 1947.

Blowtop Blues (Bird's Nest) (1054-A)

 

Recorded October 28, 1947.

Bongobop (Bongo Bop) (1102-A)

 

Recorded February 19, 1947.

Cool Blues (1054-C)

DLP1 B:

Recorded February 26, 1947.

Relaxing at Camarillo (1071-A)

Carvin’ the Bird (1073-B)

 

Recorded February 19, 1947.

Dark Shadows (1052-B)

Blowtop Blues (1054-A)

 

Recorded October 28, 1947:

 Bongobop (1102-A)

 

Recorded February 19, 1947.

Cool Blues (1954-C)

 

"Album Reviews," Billboard, December 24, 1949, 94: album with limited appeal.

 

December

JATP

Release of Arco 1216, 1217, 1219, and 1226.

Reissues of Disc 2001, 2002, 2004, and 2005 on edited 10" 78 rpm. records by new record company. 

 

Recorded January 28, 1946.

Jazz at the Philharmonic

Arco1216 A

Blues for Norman I

Arco1216 B

Blues for Norman II

 

Arco1217 A

I Can’t Get Started I

Arco1217 B

I Can’t Get Started II

 

Arco1219 A

Sweet Georgia Brown I

Arco1219 B

Sweet Georgia Brown II

 

Arco1226 A

Lady Be Good I

Arco1226 B

Lady Be Good II

 

"'Philharmonic Jazz’ Suits in Complications," Billboard, October 22, 1949, 17: George Erlinger sold the Asch and Disc labels to Joseph J. Corn of Arco.

"Granz Lawsuit to U.S. Courts," Billboard, October 22, 1949, 17:

"Arco Signs Artist, Buys Disc Platters, Set Release Dates," Billboard, November 5, 1949, 44.

"Record Reviews: Hot Jazz," Billboard, December 24, 1949, 102.

"Advance Record Releases: Hot Jazz," Billboard, December 31, 1949, 73.

 

December 15

A Journey Through Jazz

Charlie Parker Quintet

Red Rodney (tp); Charlie Parker (as); Al Haig (p); Tommy Potter (b); Roy Haynes (d).

Lester Young's Quartet

Lester Young (ts); Dick Hyman (p); Irv Lang (b); Jo Jones (d).

Hot Lips Page & Max Kaminsky Dixieland Band

Max Kaminsky (tp), Munn Ware (tb), Sol Yaged (cl), Dick Hyman (p); Irv Lang (b); George Wettling (d).

Stan Getz Quartet

Stan Getz (ts); Dick Hyman (p); Tommy Potter (b); Roy Haynes (d).

Lennie Tristano Sextet

Lee Konitz (as); Warne Marsh (ts); Lennie Tristano (p); Billy Bauer (g); Joe Shulman (b); Jeff Morton (dr).

Harry Belafonte (voc)

acc. by Dick Hyman (p).

Birdland, New York, NY.

December 15–January 4, 1950

Birdland opening show.  William “Bill” Williams (mc)

 

Ad in New York Age December 24,1949, 40.

“Night Club Reviews: Birdland,” Variety, December 21, 1949, 46.

C. Dahlgreen: “Nytt Fran New York,” Orkester Journalen, February 1950, 10.

E. Shim, Lennie Tristano — His Life and Music (2007), 60.

December 25

Concert

Symphony Sid’s Xmas Party

Miles Davis Septet

Miles Davis (tp); Bennie Green (tb); Sonny Stitt (as); Serge Chaloff (bars); Bud Powell (p); Curley Russell (b); Max Roach (d).

Bud Powell Trio

Bud Powell (p); Curley Russell (b); Max Roach (d).

Charlie Parker Quintet

Red Rodney (tp); Charlie Parker (as); Al Haig (p); Tommy Potter (b); Roy Haynes (d).

Winding/Getz Combo

Kai Winding (tb); Stan Getz (ts); Al Haig (p); Tommy Potter (b); Roy Haynes (d).

Stan Getz Quartet

Sarah Vaughan

Jimmy Jones (p); Sarah Vaughan (voc).

Lennie Tristano Sextet

Lee Konitz (as); Warne Marsh (ts); Lennie Tristano (p); Billy Bauer (g); Joe Shulman (b); Jeff Morton (d).

George Shearing

Errol Garner

Buddy DeFranco

Carnegie Hall, New York, NY.

8:30 p.m.

Symphony Sid, Monte Kay, Leonard Feather (Prod.)

Voice of America Radio Broadcast exists.

 

Ad in Daily News, December 24, 1949, 19: George Shearing, Buddy DeFranco and Errol Garner are mentioned in the ad, but they are not present in the recorded material.

B. Milner, Liner notes to the CD: Carnegie Hall X-Mas ’49, Jass Records JCD 16.

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/Sessions.aspx?s=491225a

https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=491225b

 

 

December late

The Jazz Scene

Release of The Jazz Scene.

Including Duke Ellington, Neil Hefti, Lester Young, Coleman Hawkins, Ralph Burns, George Handy, Charlie Parker, Willie Smith, Machito, and Bud Powell.

Mercury album (unnumbered).

6 12 " 78 rpm. records (unnumbered).

Parker appears on 2 sides only: Repetition and The Bird.

 

Recorded 1949

Duke Ellington 

Sono

Frustration

 

Recorded December 1947.

Neal Hefti - Charlie Parker

Repetition

Recorded Autumn 1948.

Neal Hefti

Rhumbacito

 

Recorded March-April 1946.

Lester Young

I Want to be Happy

Recorded January 1945 or 1948.

Coleman Hawkins

Picasso

 

Recorded October 1946.

Ralph Burns

Introspection

George Handy

The Bloos

 

Recorded December 1947.

Charlie Parker

The Bird

Willie Smith

Sophisticate Lady

 

Recorded January 1949.

Machito

Tanga

Recorded February 10, 1949.

Bud Powell

Cherokee

 

“Mercury’s ‘Jazz Scene’”, Billboard, December 31, 1949, 31 and 79: Positive review.

M. Levin, “Diggin’ the Discs,” Down Beat, January 13, 1950, 14–: Extensive review, generally very positive, also of Parker’s tracks.

 

December 30

George Shearing Band

Charlie Parker Band

Metropolitan, Philadelphia, PA.

December 30, 1949.

Concert and Dance.

 

“Music–As Written,” Billboard, December 24, 1949, 39: “George Shearing and Charlie Parker to make for a double-starrer concert and dance Friday (30) at the Met…”

“Jazzdom's Top 2 Here for Concert,” Philadelphia Tribune, December 27, 1949, 3.

“Shearing, Parker to Star at Met,” Baltimore Afro-American, December 31, 1949, 17: “…they will appear at the Met, Broad and Poplar Sts.”

 

December 30

Down Beat 1949 Band Poll

Combo-Instrumental

7. Charlie Parker

Favorite Soloist

1. Benny Goodman

2. Bill Harris

3. Charlie Parker

Alto sax

Parker not counted here because he was a leader all the year.

 

“Woody, Shearing Win ’49 Poll,” Down Beat, December 30, 1949, 1, 12.