PARKER, Charlie: Mellow Bird

Charlie Parker's 'Mellow Bird' is a sublime collection of jazz masterpieces, showcasing the legendary saxophonist's innovative and expressive style. Released on 9 February 2004 by Naxos, this album features 20 exquisite tracks, including 'Just Friends', 'April in Paris', and 'Stella by Starlight', that demonstrate Parker's mastery of the bebop genre.

With a career marked by tremendous physical appetites and an unrelenting passion for music, Charlie Parker lived life to the fullest, crowding more living into his brief span than any other human being. As a pioneering jazz saxophonist and composer, he played a pivotal role in founding the innovative bebop style of jazz in the early 1940s, and his collaborations with Dizzy Gillespie, Max Roach, and others had a profound impact on the jazz world.

This album, 'Mellow Bird', is a testament to Parker's innovative spirit and his ability to expand upon his bebop breakthrough. The tracks, recorded between 1949 and 1952, feature Parker's sublime saxophone playing, accompanied by the Charlie Parker Strings and Orchestra, creating a rich and nuanced sound that showcases his technical mastery and emotional depth.

As one of the most influential jazz musicians of the 20th century, Charlie Parker's music continues to inspire and delight audiences to this day. 'Mellow Bird' is a must-listen for fans of jazz, bebop, and hard bop, offering a unique glimpse into the mind of a musical genius. With its duration of 1 hour and 6 minutes, this album is a journey through the highs and lows of Parker's incredible career, and a testament to his enduring legacy as a true legend of jazz.