AMG Review of At Birdland, Vol. 2

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All Music Guide

Ember, a label specializing in historical live jazz recordings, here presents a series of vintage Charlie Parker performances that took place at Birdland in New York City between May 15, 1950 and April 7, 1951. Bird is heard with trumpeters Fats Navarro, Red Rodney and Dizzy Gillespie; pianists Walter Bishop, Jr., Bud Powell, Billy Taylor and Kenny Drew; bassists Tommy Potter, Teddy Kotick and Curly Russell, and drummers Art Blakey and Roy Haynes. Much of the music heard on this compilation involves a chamber ensemble of violins, viola, cello and oboe; a genteel combination that Charlie Parker clearly enjoyed working with during this time period. This little anthology contains several extended "blowing session" tracks that are particularly exciting on account of some virtuoso improvising by trumpeters Gillespie and Navarro.