Unit 1 - African American
Charlie Parker
Charlie “Bird” Parker (1920-1955) was considered a pioneer of Jazz and blues in the 1940’s. Together, Charlie and another musician named Dizzy Gillespie created a whole new musical style dubbed “bop” or “bebop. Parker grew up in Kansas City KS and was enamored enough by the Kansas City music scene to drop out of school at age 14 (biography). Parker was heavily inspired by Lester Young and Buster Smith early on in his career while he was still a dishwasher so that he could afford to hear Art Tatum (another big Jazz musician) on a nightly basis (Yanow). It was not long after when he began playing with Dizzy Gillespie from 1942 – 1945 and in the process, invented what we call bebop. This is a style of Jazz attributed with complex and rapid rhythm/harmony changes of which Parker became known for as he continued touring with Gillespie. Scott Yanow describes this about Charlie by saying that “he could play remarkably fast lines that, if slowed down to half speed, would reveal that every note made sense”. However, despite his musical genius Parker still slipped into addiction due in part with the amount of “critical attention he was receiving and in part to his years of on and off drug use” (pbs). Parker died in 1955 due to pneumonia and while he was among jazz and blues musical legends, it took the country several years to learn about the brilliance that Parker left the Jazz world with before he passed.
The style of music that Parker pioneered called “bebop” is still played today with books written on it such as “Bebop Guitar: Basic Theory and Practice for Jazz Guitar in the Style of Charlie Parker” by Joseph Weidlich. This book details the techniques used in bebop such as the “with strings” style, as well as ways of transmuting basic jazz improv into bebop. Bebop spread more rapidly as Parker and Gillespie created collaborations of which stunned listeners at how quickly the two musicians could play beautiful and harmonizing rhythms. I chose Charlie Parker because the jazz style “bebop” is a style I’ve heard of however, rarely listen to. I was impressed to hear that within such a short amount of time, somebody with such impressive talent was able to create a whole subgenre of jazz that is still referred to today. Despite drug addiction, the deaths of loved ones, and an early death at age 34, Charlie was still able to change the world of Jazz in the short amount of time he was given. From this, I hope to remember that sometimes, talent alone can take you very far. |
Sources:
biography.com. "Charlie Parker Biography", biography.com, A&E Television Networks, 24 Nov. 2014.
biography.com/people/charlie-parker-9433413
Yanow, Scott. "Charlie Parker", allmusic.com, Complex Music, n.d.
allmusic.com/artist/charlie-parker-mn0000211758
pbs.org. "Celebrating Bird: The Triumph of Charlie Parker", pbs.org, THIRTEEN. 19 Oct. 2003.
pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/charlie-parker-about-charlie-parker/678/
Weidlich, Joseph. Bebop Guitar: Basic Theory and Practice for Jazz Guitar in the Style of Charlie Parker. Centerstream. 2008. books.google.com/books?id=469JtRj_IpYC&source=gbs_book_similarbooks n.u.
biography.com. "Charlie Parker Biography", biography.com, A&E Television Networks, 24 Nov. 2014.
biography.com/people/charlie-parker-9433413
Yanow, Scott. "Charlie Parker", allmusic.com, Complex Music, n.d.
allmusic.com/artist/charlie-parker-mn0000211758
pbs.org. "Celebrating Bird: The Triumph of Charlie Parker", pbs.org, THIRTEEN. 19 Oct. 2003.
pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/charlie-parker-about-charlie-parker/678/
Weidlich, Joseph. Bebop Guitar: Basic Theory and Practice for Jazz Guitar in the Style of Charlie Parker. Centerstream. 2008. books.google.com/books?id=469JtRj_IpYC&source=gbs_book_similarbooks n.u.
Solomon Burke
Solomon Burke was an artist important to the early says of soul music in the late 50’s and 60’s. Solomon heavily inspired by his gospel roots and an active member of his family’s church since he was young. His music is even attributed to influencing the Rolling Stones, of whom actually covered Solomon’s songs “Cry to Me” and “Everybody Needs Somebody to Love” (allmusic). As time went on, Burke’s music became known for its elements of classic soul music and gospel sounding melodies. His background as a preacher can be heard in his songs and he could often be seen performing while dressed in full royal wear (i.e. crown, robe, scepter, throne) of which he became known for (nytimes). His offstage persona was also said to be equally as inspirational as his music with titles to his name such as “an ordained minister, licensed mortician, resourceful entrepreneur and champion raconteur” (nytimes). Solomon died in 2010 upon arrival at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam. The cause of death has not been released.
Solomon Burke was crowned the “King of Rock ‘n’ Soul at the Royal Theater in Baltimore. He was not only a preacher that was active throughout his entire career, he was said to use his music to communicate his devotion. His music was also frequently used in pop culture such as in the movie “Cool Breeze (1972) and recording the theme song for the sitcom “Love Thy Neighbor” (theguardian). Solomon was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001. I chose Solomon initially because the royalty gimmick he used on stage stood out to me. Upon reading more about Solomon, I found it inspirational that he took something important to himself such as religion and tied it so closely into his music. His intentions seemed genuine and he does a good job of using “soul” to express the feelings in his music. What I hope to remember about this artist is that passion and talent can be tied together in a way that seems genuine to what you believe. |
Sources:
Unterberger, Richie. "Solomon Burke". allmusic.com, Complex Music, n.d.
allmusic.com/artist/solomon-burke-mn0000031067/biography
Sweeting, Adam. "Solomon Burke Obituary". theguardian.com, Guardian News and Media Limited. 10 Oct. 2010.
theguardian.com/music/2010/oct/10/solomon-burke-obituary
Sisario, Ben. "Solomon Burke, Influential Soul Singer Dies at 70". nytimes.com, The New York Times. 11 Oct. 2010.
nytimes.com/2010/10/11/arts/music/11burke.html
Unterberger, Richie. "Solomon Burke". allmusic.com, Complex Music, n.d.
allmusic.com/artist/solomon-burke-mn0000031067/biography
Sweeting, Adam. "Solomon Burke Obituary". theguardian.com, Guardian News and Media Limited. 10 Oct. 2010.
theguardian.com/music/2010/oct/10/solomon-burke-obituary
Sisario, Ben. "Solomon Burke, Influential Soul Singer Dies at 70". nytimes.com, The New York Times. 11 Oct. 2010.
nytimes.com/2010/10/11/arts/music/11burke.html