|
Recorded on June 1990 at Cannes' Palais des Festivals, the Birdmen & Birdsongs concert was intended as a tribute to the late great Charlie "Bird" Parker, one of the most influential musicians in the past century. The present video - the first in a series of two - showcases the first part of the concert, featuring an all-star combo of jazzmen whose music was always related to the bop idiom created by Charlie Parker.
This was indeed an outstanding lineup: the trumpeter in the group was none other than Red Rodney, a superb performer who was integral part of Parker's own quintet during 1950-51. Sharing the frontline with Rodney was legendary West Coast saxophonist Frank Morgan, a first-rate player who at one time was celebrated as Parker's natural heir on the alto. Supporting these jazz greats was an exceptional rhythm section featuring Jamaican -born pianist Monty Alexander - a first rate, dependable pianoman if there ever was one -, bass player Rufus Reid - a superb timekeeper on his instrument, plus the great drummer Roy Haynes, one of Bird's favorite percussionists. Resorting to a repertoire mostly consisting of Bop and Parker classics - "Confirmation," "Parker's Mood," Thelonious Monk's "52nd Street Theme", these top rank musicians paid more than adequate tribute to the great altoist from Kansas City, Birdmen and Birdsongs!
|
|
