Charlie Parker Jr was born in 1920, in the city of Kansas, which was at that time an important center of African-American music. He began learning the saxophone at the age of eleven, and later became a member of the school orchestra, before leaving school in 1935. In a very short time, he managed to develop into a skilled saxophonist, and become a professional musician.

Until 1939, he worked as a musician in various local jazz bands, forming his personal style. Around 1940, he joined the pianist Jay McShann’s orchestra, with which he toured for the first time, in nightclubs in the southwestern states and also participated in recording. At the same time, along with the other members of MacShann’s orchestra, he settled in New York, which was the dominant center of jazz music. He participated in concerts and made various appearances in music centers. In 1942 he joined Earl Hines’ orchestra, where he remained for eight months. During this time, he collaborated with Dizzy Gillespie and began to shape the style of bebop.

Parker’s first recording, which introduced the new genre to a wider audience, was made in September 1944. Having gained greater fame, in 1945 he led his first personal orchestra, while also collaborating with Dizzy Gillespie in other musical ensembles. Together they also performed a series of appearances in Hollywood, totaling six weeks. Parker continued to perform in Los Angeles venues until June 29, 1946, when he was hospitalized due to a nervous breakdown and addiction to heroin and alcohol.

His stay in the hospital lasted six months and then he returned to the musical scene, first in Los Angeles and later in New York, where he returned in April 1947. The following period was particularly productive. Together with Miles Davis, Duke Jordan, Tommy Potter and Max Roach, he formed a quintet, with which he recorded several of his most popular compositions. He also toured Europe (1949 and 1950) with considerable success.

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