Bird and Diz

by Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker

Overview

This collection of 78 rpm singles, all recorded on June 6, 1950, was released in 1956. Several things distinguish this from numerous other quintet recordings featuring these two bebop pioneers. It was recorded during the period that Parker was working under the aegis of producer Norman Granz, whose preference for large and unusual ensembles was notorious. The end result in this case is a date that sounds very much like those that Parker and Gillespie recorded for Savoy and Dial, except with top-of-the-line production quality. Even more interesting, though, is Parker's choice of Thelonious Monk as pianist. Unfortunately, Monk is buried in the mix and gets very little solo space, so his highly idiosyncratic genius doesn't get much exposure here. Still, this is an outstanding album -- there are fine versions of Parker standards like "Leap Frog," "Mohawk," and "Relaxin' with Lee," as well as a burning performance of "Bloomdido" and twjo interesting (if not entirely thrilling) renditions of the chestnut "My Melancholy Baby." ~ Rick Anderson

Product Details

Release Date:	03/13/2020
Label:	Birds Nest
UPC:	8436563182822
Rank:	89377

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Charlie Parker   Primary Artist,Saxophone,Sax (Alto)
Dizzy Gillespie   Primary Artist,Trumpet
Buddy Rich   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Drums
Thelonious Monk   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Piano
Charlie Parker Septet   Primary Artist
Curly Russell   Primary Artist,Bass,Drums,Guest Artist
Al Haig   Piano
Tommy Turk   Trombone
Tommy Porter   Bass
Kenny Dorham   Trumpet
Max Roach   Drums

Technical Credits

Donald Elfman   Preparation for Release
Steve Fallone   Reissue Mastering
Robert Silverberg   Reissue Production Assistance
David Stone Martin   Cover Design,Illustrations
Peter Pullman   Reissue Notes Editor
Sung Lee   Reissue Design
Aric Lach Morrison   Reissue Producer
Herman Leonard   Reissue Photography
Ellie Hughes   Design
Patricia Lie   Reissue Art Director
Hat Nguyen   Reissue Art Director
James Patrick   Liner Notes
Duncan P. Schiedt   Photography
Nichell Delvaille   Reissue Design Coordinator
George Norton   Composer
Tom Hughes   Design
Benny Harris   Composer
Ben Young   Reissue Mastering
Bob Porter   Research
Dizzy Gillespie   Performer
George A. Norton   Composer
Ernie Burnett   Composer
Charlie Parker   Composer
Dennis Drake   Digital Remastering
Richard Seidel   Executive Producer,Preparation for Release
Phil Schaap   Research,Liner Notes
Norman Granz   Producer,Liner Notes