There are true facts that become our personal history. This includes famous personalities. Our lives are a combination of extraordinary and mundane events that make-up who we are. Charlie Parker was a phenomenal alto saxophonist and composer who lived a life of trials and tribulations while making his mark with his saxophone and be bop.
Charlie Parker was born August 29, 1920, in Kansas City, KS. Eventually Charlie Parker`s parents would separate from each other, with Charlie Parker and his mother moving across the river to Kansas City, MO at age ten. Charlie Parker began playing alto saxophone after his parents separation. He began playing at Lincoln High School, where he quickly became first chair in his high school band. Purchasing his first saxophone at age 11 after being inspired by Rudy Vallee, and turning pro at age 13 is simply a myth; not true.
With success in high school band, young Charlie Parker was laughed off stage while sitting-in with professional musicians at a jam session. This public humiliation occurred at the Reno Club in Kansas City, MO. While on stage timing and communication issues took place, while Jo Jones was on drums as a guest in the rhythm section. On "I Got Rhythm" Jo Jones timing was behind Parker, as Charlie Parker continued to rush-through the music. Jo Jones stopped playing, as young 16 year old Charlie Parker froze in place. Jo Jones threw a cymbal at Charlie Parker`s feet, and of course laughter and catcalls soon followed, with Charlie Parker leaving the stage.
This event happening to Charlie Parker created a desire for Parker to practice upward to 15 hours per day for three or four years. Charlie Parker`s musical success was hard work, discipline and determination to become an absolute master of his instrument. Popular myth would have you believe that his heroin addiction led to his genius; not his hard work.
In 1936, along with the humiliation suffered at the Reno Club, Charlie Parker married his high school sweetheart, Rebecca Ruffin. Soon after their marriage Parker and Rebecca Ruffin parted ways, with Rebecca Ruffin leaving, and taking their son.
Charlie Parker and his crew invented a whole new genre of music called be bop. Charlie Parker, famous jazz saxophonist and composer died at age 34, on March 12, 1955, in New York City.
