Broadcast on 01-Jun-2015

Tonight's Jazz Feature are two of Charlie Parker's last great studio recordings.They were done in 1953 when Bird's creative energy was burning. His last studio recordings from 1954 were not as good but there are many broadcast and concert recordings from Bird's last year that were much better than his studio recording of "Charlie Parker Plays Cole Porter" However these recordings from 1953 featured not only Bird at his best but with high recording quality too that captured his great sound and mastery. The first is from January 1953 with Hank Jones on piano, Teddy Kotick on bass and Max Roach on drums. The second is from July 30,1953 with Al Haig on piano, Percy Heath on bass and again Max Roach on drums. Both these sessions are superb and an excellent way of introducing anyone who has not heard Charlie Parker before to his music.The Quartets of Charlie Parker are considered by many his last great studio recordings and I would agree! This is tonight's Jazz Feature.