|
Charlie Parker, known as "Bird," was a revolutionary jazz saxophonist and composer whose contributions helped shape modern music. Born on August 29, 1920, in Kansas City, Kansas, and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, Parker developed an early love for music. By his teenage years, he was playing alto saxophone and learning the ropes in Kansas City's vibrant jazz scene. Parker's unique sound—a mix of intricate melodies, rapid tempos, and groundbreaking improvisation—became the foundation of bebop, a style that transformed jazz from dance music to an art form demanding virtuosity and deep understanding.
Parker's genius came with personal struggles. His life was marred by addiction, beginning with a morphine dependency after a car accident in his youth, which later shifted to heroin. Despite these challenges, Parker's creativity flourished. Collaborations with legends like Dizzy Gillespie, Max Roach, and Thelonious Monk led to seminal recordings such as Ko-Ko, Ornithology, and Parker's Mood. He also broke racial barriers by performing in integrated venues and influencing a diverse array of musicians, cementing his legacy as a cultural icon.
Tragically, Parker's life was cut short when he died on March 12, 1955, at just 34 years old, a victim of his addictions and relentless lifestyle. Yet, his influence endures. Parker's innovative approach to harmony, rhythm, and improvisation reshaped jazz and inspired countless musicians across genres. Today, "Bird" is celebrated not only as a pioneer of bebop but as one of the greatest artists in American music history.
Offered is an original 8” x 10” Silver Gelatin photograph of Charlie “Bird” Parker at Bandbox (a jazz club in NYC) on June 26, 1953. This was most likely a drop-in session. Photographed by William “Popsie” Randolph with his stamp on the back.
Encapsulated as a TYPE I original photograph by PSA/DNA
This original print derived from Popsie’s personal archive and stamped on back with his iconic stamp that he used in the 1940s/50s. ORIGINAL photos of Jazz musicians are rarely seen, as opposed to promotional photos put out by the record companies.
About photographer, William “Popsie” Randolph -
William "Popsie" Randolph was a legendary photographer who captured the heart of mid-20th-century jazz and entertainment. Born in New York City in 1920, Randolph started in the Benny Goodman Orchestra before finding his calling behind the camera. From the 1940s to the 1980s, his lens documented the icons of jazz, Broadway, and pop, including Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, and Elvis Presley.
Randolph’s work stands out for its intimacy, capturing both the glamour and raw, unguarded moments of his subjects. Sought after by artists and labels like Columbia Records and RCA, his images graced album covers, newspapers, and magazines, making him a hidden yet influential force in music photography. Though he passed away in 1978, Randolph’s photos remain a vital record of American music culture, inspiring generations of musicians and photographers.
Item: 13744
|