Back when I was in junior high school I was introduced to the playing of Charlie Parker. \u00a0It was 9th grade and up to that point all I had listened to was Spyro Gyra, Chuck Mangione, Dave Sanborn and the Yellowjackets. \u00a0My saxophone teacher told me that if I wanted to be good at jazz then I had to get the “Omnibook” and check out Charlie Parker.<\/p>\n
I immediately went out and bought this book and started working on it. \u00a0I have to admit that \u00a0these solos were extremely hard and frustrating for my 9th grade brain but I stuck with it. \u00a0The hardest thing for me to figure out was why Parker would play a certain lick or phrase over a specific chord. \u00a0There seemed to be no rhyme or reason to it. \u00a0I was learning all my chords from “Patterns for Jazz” by Jerry Coker and was learning what notes sounded good over what chords but then when I looked at a Charlie Parker solo I had trouble seeing how he was using these notes and \u00a0creating his lines.<\/p>\n
It wasn’t until many years later, when I was in college that I started to understand a bit more about what Parker was doing. \u00a0Even to this day, I am in awe when I hear a recording of his. \u00a0 His lines are so harmonically rich. \u00a0His rhythmic ideas and displacements are mind boggling. \u00a0You just get a sense that he is playing whatever he wants, whenever he wants and he makes it work over the chords……….<\/p>\n
I just found this youtube recording a few days ago and I have to say that this is one of the best Charlie Parker solos I have ever heard. \u00a0It’s over the tune “Cherokee” and is a trio with Parker, a guitar player and drummer. \u00a0It’s a great example of his flowing bebop lines mixed with his amazing sense of melody. \u00a0That………..and it just swings like crazy! \u00a0I could listen to this all day. \u00a0Check it out. \u00a0Also, if you are a sax players and have never checked out the omnibook, maybe this will convince you to give it a look!<\/p>\n
P.S. To blow your minds even more, I just found out that Curtis at www.saxsolos.com<\/a> has this solo transcribed.\u00a0 It will cost you 2.50! I just received it.\u00a0 Thanks Curtis!<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n