After a long wait, the album “Pree’s Wings” is finally released, thanks to the collaborative efforts of jazz musicians Nick Mondello, Gio-Washington-Wright, and Giacomo Gates. The album, approved by the step-daughter of Charlie Parker, adds to Parker’s legacy and fills a historical and musical void that has lasted nearly 70 years.
As is well-known, Parker composed two brilliant jazz compositions for his children, “Kim,” for step-daughter Kim and “Baird Laird” for his natural son with Chan Richardson. However, Bird never composed a song for daughter “Pree” who, seriously ill from birth, tragically died as a toddler. Parker attempted suicide and died not long after on March 12, 1955.
After lengthy conversations with Parker’s still-surviving jazz vocalist step-daughter, Kim – and receiving her approval, three internationally known jazz artists, trumpeter/writer, Nick Mondello, saxophonist/arranger/composer, Gio Washington-Wright, and vocalist/lyricist, Giacomo Gates – each a lifelong acolyte of Parker’s legacy – combined forces to compose both an instrumental and vocal original composition dedicated to Kim Parker and named after the child who never had a Parker-composed song dedicated to her – “Pree’s Wings.”
“There’s always been a significant void in the Parker canon, both musically and historically, that Bird sadly never got around to writing a tune for Pree. I wanted to ensure that we would present Kim with a production that was worthy in every way to remember Pree,” stated Mondello. “And, as concept producer and confidant of Kim, I also knew which truly outstanding jazz artists – both devotees of Parker and the Bop tradition – could bring the project to fruition with musical and historical respect – Gio and Giacomo. No two better,” he added.
The instrumental version “Pree’s Wings” was recorded in Dallas featuring alto saxophonist Washington-Wright and under his leadership with Mondello consulting on the production. “Pree’s Wings” is available for download now at Bandcamp (at https://giowashingtonwright.bandcamp.com/track/prees-wings-single) and will also be released via You Tube and via all streaming outlets.
Source: Mouth Piece Music
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