Charlie Parker and Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young, et al 1950) – 1 of 2

December 23, 2009 - 6:31 pm 25 Comments

This is one of two surviving sound films of Charlie Parker playing (and certainly the longest; the other is only 52 seconds long). Until recently, this film was a rumor, and only still photos of it existed.

Watch Bird’s amused expression as he watches Hawkins solo, and also how he cuts off the older Tenor man’s solo. Although the musicians are filmed playing against tracks recorded earlier, it’s still a fascinating and rare look at Bird on film.

1. Ballad (Hawkins, Bird, Jones, Brown, Rich)

2. Celebrity (Bird, Jones, Brown, Rich)

Personnel:
Charlie Parker (as)
Coleman Hawkins (ts)
Hank Jones (p)
Ray Brown (b)
Buddy Rich (d)

Duration : 0:5:16


[youtube mZ5eGEest0g]

25 Responses to “Charlie Parker and Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young, et al 1950) – 1 of 2”

  1. jamssmith Says:

    parker’s an addict …
    parker’s an addict … self – centered in the extreme … it’s not his fault

  2. bleek132 Says:

    @ copysax and …
    @ copysax and brustdiesel , In my humble opinion, I don’t think Bird is being conceited. I see that expression as respect for Coleman. Besides, there is no way anyone can interpret this matter-of-factly. But it is a fact that Bird respected the cats before him.

  3. brustdiesel Says:

    @coxysax The more I …
    @coxysax The more I watch this, the more angry I get at Parker’s conceited, smug, “the world revolves around me and no one else” attitude.

  4. brustdiesel Says:

    @coxysax You got it …
    @coxysax You got it right. Parker gives him the look like, “come on, old man, and get out of the way.” Like the comments say, he cuts off Hawkins. Sorry, Bird fans, but my money is on Hawkins.

  5. birdndiz10 Says:

    you’re welcome…. …
    you’re welcome….there are hundreds of these clips,some 35 secs long,others 2-3 mins…i’ll try to upload a few more as i go along..

  6. TheSanityInspector Says:

    Got it, thanks! …
    Got it, thanks! First time I’d heard any of that. Subscribed!

  7. birdndiz10 Says:

    @ The …
    @ The SanityInspector…Just managed to post a 57sec recording of Charlie taken March 1st,1947 cut at the Hi-Di-Ho club by Dean Benedetti…..do a search for Charlie parker Blues ‘N’ Boogie.
    let me know,i’ll post more.

  8. birdndiz10 Says:

    just wasted 45mins …
    just wasted 45mins trying again Inspect…i have the complete recordings on my Mac itunes in m4a. format..youtube won’t recognise it,tried to convert it using free software,managed to convert it to mp3. no problem but this wont upload to youtube either…frustrating as the rcording are so cool…

  9. helluvagun Says:

    @coxysax
    In what …

    @coxysax
    In what way? On the contrary. He nod’s to us all saying. Listen to Hawk, the man!
    Just the way he appreciates the drumsolo by Buddy Rich!

  10. coxysax Says:

    I know we all love …
    I know we all love Bird, but does anyone else think he’s a bit disrespectful to Hawkins here?

  11. TheSanityInspector Says:

    Please do & shoot …
    Please do & shoot me a message when you succeed!

  12. birdndiz10 Says:

    i have the …
    i have the collection..tried to post a few tracks on YouTube the ther day..wouldn’t upload…i’ll try again.

  13. RickFishUK Says:

    Best sax player …
    Best sax player ever and best (jazz) drummer ever being put together… magic

  14. ZYXisnotavailable Says:

    The second tune …
    The second tune isn’t “Celebrity,” it’s “Celerity” (meaning swift).

  15. 0DethronedEmperor0 Says:

    What Bird plays …
    What Bird plays from about 1:44 and on is just about all I’ve ever wanted to hear in music. His melodic sense was simply not of this Earth.

  16. Gilyslas Says:

    Great ones, Bird, …
    Great ones, Bird, Trane, Miles. They would
    fire up cigarettes in between their solos.
    Just so cool. All these cats could blow till
    the angels came down and took them away.
    And now they make beautiful music in heaven.

  17. Cespinozas Says:

    Buddy rich i think …
    Buddy rich i think iam not sure though WAIT YES haha

  18. TheSanityInspector Says:

    His name was Dean …
    His name was Dean Benedetti, and a box cd set of his collection of Bird’s solos is for sale on the ‘net.

  19. hanschook Says:

    the drummer is …
    the drummer is Buddy Rich.
    Bird lives !

  20. Ilovegreendart21 Says:

    whos the drummer? …
    whos the drummer? Hes amazing!

  21. salangro Says:

    de la poesie …
    de la poesie musicale !!!!!!!!!!!!!

  22. PorcupineFloyd68 Says:

    Alright, I get it. …
    Alright, I get it. :P

  23. dvnstvn9 Says:

    @PorcupineFloyd68 …
    @PorcupineFloyd68 parker sitn down

  24. benthemiester Says:

    Why are all the …
    Why are all the great ones so self destructive. I’m also self destructive but not great. I got cheated.

  25. gessed Says:

    fab: Thanks for …
    fab: Thanks for posting. i believe there are many hours of live music by Charlie Parker by a young sax player who followed him around only to record his music.this mentioned in his book.Named Bird or Bird Lives.

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