BIRD

Ever since I’ve been listening to jazz I’ve been a huge fan of Charlie Parker. In fact, I’d probably go as far as to say it was a tape of Charlie Parker’s music that first really got me hooked into the whole jazz “thing”.

From there I’ve moved (forwards and back) and branched out to other styles and “flavours” of jazz. But then his influence also spread far and wide.

Anyway. I was fascinated yesterday to read an article about a hitherto little known statue of Parker – that’s turned up in Edinburgh (article here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/mar/21/charlie-parker-julie-macdonald-sculpture ).

For what it’s worth, my opinion is that it would be nice to have this on public display, even if only for a short time or a limited period.

I think it has the quality of a death mask, so given that it was started before Parkers death this gives it a strange premonitory quality. The other surprising thing is the aura of peace and calm that it exudes, which certainly is at odds with most accounts of Parkers last few years.

I also think it looks very late-modern and therefore compliments the late-modern feel of bebop. You could look at that statue, listen to bop and know they were of the same era (well, I could).

Imagine owning that. Get it out there man, and give us all a look.

Bird Lives!!