(NOTE: Parker is not in the TV clip above, but it’s from the show that he appeared in. See below.)
Last time we discussed the first Parker appearance on TV, the Metronome Award Show of Monday, February 21, 1949. (NOTE: I made a few corrections and updates to that post, marked by **—so you might want to revisit it.) All that exists visually is the tiny home movie clip which I shared with you. But somebody recorded the audio from their television speakers. That audio was issued on a CD, but it’s now hard to find, so here it is for all to enjoy. It’s divided into three tracks. The information about who is playing what is here, at Peter Losin’s excellent Parker site. Peter gives the full personnel: Charlie Parker (as); Shorty Sherrock (tpt); Sidney Bechet (ss); Joe Bushkin (p); Chubby Jackson (b); George Wettling (d); Charles Delauney (ann). Enjoy this audio!:
At the end of the first audio track, the speakers introduce dancer Teddy Hale. At the beginning of the the second track, you can hear Hale tap dancing to the song “Lover.” The silent film clip above, from the Bechet montage linked in Part 1, is a glimpse of Hale’s dance number!
Bird’s next appearance, just a few weeks later, was on a program entitled Adventures in Jazz. This one included Miles Davis and Max Roach as well! It was televised on Friday, March 11, 1949, on CBS-TV in New York City. The date that appears in most discographies, March 4, is incorrect and we don't know its source. On March 4, the guests were definitely critic Leonard Feather and friends, whereas Leif Bo Peterson has found that Parker did indeed appear as the guest in the TV listings for March 11: “‘Programs on the Air,’ New York Times, March 11, 1949, p.50: Joe Sullivan, Yank Lawson, Joe Marsala, Charlie Parker, and others.” I suppose it’s possible that the program was pre-filmed on March 4, but we have no reason to think so.
No visual record exists this time, not even a silent film, but again we have to thank an unknown fan who recorded the audio. This time it’s divided into four tracks, and again I refer you to Peter Losin’s site for the details about who is playing what. He gives the full personnel as: Charlie Parker (as); Miles Davis (tpt); Max Kaminsky (tpt); Kai Winding (tb); Will Bradley (tb); Joe Marsala (cl); Mike Caluccio (p); Joe Sullivan (p); Unknown (g); Unknown (b); Max Roach (d); Gordon "Specs" Powell (d); Ann Hathaway (voc); William Williams (ann). Here goes:
Here and throughout his website, Peter Losin has taken the time to prepare rough transcriptions of the speaking between tunes. (Just click on “Show chatter.”) If you notice any things that need to be corrected, just let me know and I’ll pass them on to Peter.
(Also, if you prefer to have the music on CD, you can find it used online here—with shipping, there are some available for about $20.)
Bird’s next experience with visual media was with film, not television, in September 1950. This time the footage survives, with outtakes! I also have a lot of background information for you. Since at the moment Substack only allows one video per post, I’ll save that for the next few installments. In the meantime, be well!
All the best,
Lewis
Every Film Clip of Charlie Parker, 2; Audio from TV