Bird Among Friends in the Studio
Parker sounds loose and unhurried here, trading ideas with a rhythm section that knows exactly where he is going.
The album titled Charlie Parker, released in 1954, collects material from the period when Parker was working with a tight group of sidemen and a looser sense of studio routine than the bandstand allowed. The lineup on the record includes Max Roach on drums, Percy Heath and Teddy Kotick on double bass, and Al Haig and Hank Jones on piano. That mix of players gives the sessions a steady pulse, with Roach keeping the time firm while the bass lines leave Parker plenty of room to move.
What you hear is Parker doing what he does best: fast, precise lines on alto saxophone, bent around unexpected chord changes and pushed forward by a rhythm section that never gets in the way. The playing is direct and a little playful. It is not the most ambitious thing he ever recorded, but it is a clear picture of him working comfortably with musicians he trusted.
For a listener, this is a solid place to hear Parker in a straightforward small-group setting. It is not the first album most people should reach for, but for anyone who already knows his bebop work, it offers a relaxed, enjoyable look at how he sounded when the material was familiar and the room was friendly.
Who's playing
Percy Heathdouble bass
Teddy Kotickdouble bass
Al Haigpiano
Hank Jonespiano
Charlie Parkeralto saxophone
Max Roachdrums
Where next?
More by Charlie Parker
Charlie Parker with Strings 1949
The Genius of Charlie Parker 1946
South of the Border 1952
Compact Jazz: Charlie Parker 1987
The musicians on this record
Jazz In 3/4 Time 1957
Max Roach
plays drums (drum set) here
plays drums (drum set) here
Jazz Studio 1 1954
Hank Jones
plays piano here
plays piano here
