AWESOME. I just, not even a week ago, made a mix of my 26 favorite Bird tracks, and I had no idea his birthday was coming up. perhaps the energy was flowing a certain way....BIRD LIVES!!!

no question what I'm practicing tonight...omnibook, omnibook, omnibook.

 

He may have died 50 years ago, but his legend will live on FOREVER. Second only to Louis Armstrong in terms of overall importance in jazz. Just a couple of days ago I ordered online the JSP Charlie Parker: A Studio Chronical 4 CD box set. It comes highly reccomended, and I borrowed it once from my band director. Timeless collection of music. Great price on it too, you can usually get ahold of it for $20. LONG LIVE BIRD!

 

I wouldn't go so far as to say that he was second to Satchmo. Bird was a bop saxophonist that influenced a lot of people, but as far as importance in jazz, I wouldn't put him second. He was popular in one era.

I'd put Ellington as second to Armstrong, only because he practically gave birth to jazz. Ellington influenced later musics -- jazz and not. Not only was he one of the 20th century's greatest musical composers, he also lived through almost all the jazz eras, touring and playing for decades.

And yes, happy birthday Bird, where ever you are up there.

 

I disagree. As far as influencing the direction music would take, I think Bird is definitely second. In all honesty, everyone after him was influenced by him in at least some small way. And according to most, Bebop is the link between Archaic forms of jazz and much of modern music.