Charlie Parker was an extremely innovative jazz musician, both as a saxophonist and as a composer, and was an early creative force in the bebop movement. He played with such greats as Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis (who famously said: “You can tell the history of jazz in four words: Louis Armstrong. Charlie Parker.â€). Born in Kansas City, Kansas, Charlie Parker always considered New York City his true home. In spite of his music making genius and his early successes, “Bird†suffered the consequences of a lifelong heroin addiction, brought about by the introduction to morphine after a youthful automobile accident. Ultimately, this led to his untimely death at the age of thirty-four. His recordings provide an oasis of bliss for his fans; many of them were inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Charlie Parker’s life is paid a poignant tribute in Clint Eastwood’s 1988 film, “Birdâ€.
