Charlie Parker Saxophone Detail

Alto saxophone owned and played by Charlie Parker. ... more

by David Hinds

Title

Charlie Parker Saxophone Detail

Artist

David Hinds

Medium

Photograph

Description

Alto saxophone owned and played by Charlie Parker.

Charlie Parker was born on August 29, 1920, in Kansas City, Kansas. From 1935 to 1939, he played the Missouri nightclub scene with local jazz and blues bands. In 1945 he led his own group while performing with Dizzy Gillespie on the side. Together they invented bebop. In 1949, Parker made his European debut, giving his last performance several years later. He died a week later on March 12, 1955, in New York City.

The saxophone consists of seven parts: a body, neck, two [2] mouthpieces, two [2] ligatures and a reed.

The saxophone body is made of brass and has a sterling silver bell. Some of the keys have mother-of-pearl inlays. The bell is decorated with an engraved floral design with text on the front. The text reads [KING / Super / 20 / THE H.N. WHITE CO. /CLEVELAND – O]. Engraved above the bell lug at the bow of the saxophone is [STERLING / BELL]. Engraved in cursive text below this on the bell lug is [Charlie Parker].



Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Uploaded

April 17th, 2020