Friday, September 1, 1933

Daddy, Henry and Newt went fishing and we had fish for supper. Mart and Nellie's came down and we had watermelon and ice cream.

Charles Parker, Jr.
AKA: "Yardbird" or "Bird" Parker
Born August 29, 1920 in Kansas City, Kansas
Died March 12, 1955 in New York, New York

From 1935 to 1939, Parker worked in Kansas City with several local jazz
and blues bands from which he developed his art. In 1939, Parker visited New
York for the first time, and he stayed for nearly a year working as a professional
musician and often participating in jam sessions. The New York atmosphere greatly
influenced Parker's musical style. Later he joined pianist Jay McShann's band.

Parker returned to Kansas City to attend his father’s funeral. Once there, he joined
Harlan Leonard’s Rockets and stayed for five months. In 1939, Yardbird rejoined McShann
 and was placed in charge of the reed section. Then, in 1940, Parker made his first recording
 with the McShann orchestra. Parker went on to play with jazz greats Dizzy Gillespie and
Thelonious Monk. Birdland, a New York nighclub, was named in his honor.