Look out for Verve Records’ Bird in Kansas City. This album features a new set of rare recordings dating from between 1941-1951, to be released globally on vinyl, CD, and digitally. Much of this collection has never been heard before and some recordings have never even been known to exist — Bird in Kansas City chronicles Charlie Parker’s evolution from a blossoming soloist with the Jay McShann Band into a brilliant improviser who changed the genre forever.
Besides two unreleased 78s with the McShann band, ‘Bird in Kansas City’ includes two private recordings, made at the home of Parker’s friend Phil Baxter and Vic Damon’s studio with local musicians. The recordings are centered around Parker’s connection to his hometown of Kansas City. Even though he left in 1941 and never lived there again, the city remained very important to him. His mixed emotions were due to the city’s history of racial segregation and his strong ties to his family and friends there. Despite not returning permanently, he often visited during breaks from his travels, and it was during those times that these recordings were made.
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