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Altoism Spotlight: Charlie Parker

This month’s Altoism Spotlight is on the creator of bebop – Charlie “Bird” Parker who was born on August 29, 1920 (next year 2020 will mark his 100th birthday!).  He’s arguably the greatest jazz improviser and innovator to have ever lived, and it just so happens his instrument of choice was the alto saxophone. His compositions and improvised solos are performed and studied by jazz musicians all over the world.  Unfortunately Bird had a serious heroin addiction that led to his early death at the age of 36, but his musical legacy lives on his unique contributions to the evolution of jazz melody, harmony, and rhythm.

Here’s me performing Charlie Parker’s “Confirmation.”  Thanks and enjoy!

irdlivesLARGE” by su_san_desu is licensed under CC BY 2.0 

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