Charlie Parker
/Influential (transplant) New Yorkers Series
Charlie Parker in NYC today…
Although Charlie wasn’t born in NYC, he did move here at the age of 18 and stayed a New Yorker until his death in 1955. So, as a New Yorker by choice, we’re including him in our Influential New Yorkers Series.
Charle Parker made such a massive impact on the world that his presence is still alive in NYC all these years later. Here are a few places you can visit to remember him:
There’s an entire Charlie Parker Jazz Festival every August at Tompkins Square Park. Mark your calendar and make sure to go next year.
The townhouse Charlie briefly lived in at 151 Ave B in Alphabet City is now a historical landmark. In 2015 it went on the market for $9 Mil and now rents for $5,700 a month.
Minton’s Playhouse in Harlem, opened in 1938, where Charlie was a regular performer alongside pianist Thelonious Monk, trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, guitarist Charlie Christian and drummer Kenny Clarke. Read a little about it’s history here.
The Apollo Theater added Charlie to their walk of fame underneath the marquee on 125th Street. He performed here many times.
Birdland Jazz Club, named after their headliner Charlie Parker, opened in 1949. It has changed locations and owners a few times though, so you can read a little about here.
That “Bird Lives” graffiti around Manhattan is referencing Charlie. Read a little about it here.
Of course, don’t forget to actually listen to his music today. Set your Spotify station to Charlie Parker and get to know him directly through his art.
Read…
Smithsonian Magazine did a great quick read article called “The Long Journey of Charlie Parker’s Saxophone.”
The New York Jazz Workshop does a great summary with a couple of fun videos at the end.
The Observer expands a bit with a piece called “How New York City Became the Epicenter of Jazz”
Some great books if you want to take a deeper dive:
Kansas City Lightening: The Rise and Times of Charlie Parker
Celebrating Bird: The Triumph of Charlie Parker
Bird: The Life and Music of Charlie Parker
Watch…
Celebrating Bird: The Triumph of Charlie Parker (1989) - A 58-min documentary produced by PBS.
Mo’ Better Blues (1990) - New Yorker Spike Lee’s film about the struggles of a fictional jazz musician in Brooklyn, starring Denzel Washington.
Bird (1988) - A Clint Eastwood movie detailing Charlie Parker’s life.
Iconic Jazz Era Nightspots…
Leon and Eddies (1928) - Opened with $700 as a speakeasy during prohibition, this would later became a famous club for swing music where all the most glamorous celebrities of the era hung out. Since it’s no longer around to visit, you can read a little about it’s history here.
Cotton Club (1923) - This iconic place that hosted all the legends actually opened during the Jim Crow era. So, while black people could perform there, they couldn’t go as a customer until 1935. There’s a great detailed history of the place here.
Birdhouse (1949) - All the greats performed here and there are some famous live recordings that were made here as well. Another glamorous spot where celebrities like Frank Sinatra and Marilyn Monroe could be found. There’s a great piece on it’s history here.
Cafe Zanzibar (1943) - Meant to be a bigger and better version of the Cotton Club, this was THE place to go in it’s time. It was unique in that it allowed black customers as well, something not common at the time. It’s no longer around to visit, but there’s a fun blog on it’s history and some fun photos here.
Want more? Here’s a detailed map of all the NYC Jazz Clubs.
Vintage photos from the Jazz era in NYC…
