Chan Parker’s personal reel-to-reel recordings of a performance by the Charlie Parker Quintet at the Symphony Ballroom, Boston, April 1951

Chan Parker’s personal reel-to-reel recordings of a performance by the Charlie Parker Quintet at the Symphony Ballroom, Boston, April 1951
Charlie Parker
PARKER, Charlie (1920-1955).

Chan Parker’s personal reel-to-reel recordings of a performance by the Charlie Parker Quintet at the Symphony Ballroom, Boston, April 1951, the recording on two reels of ¼-inch Scotch Brand tape, the original boxes labelled 'Bird in Boston, 4/21/1951', and inscribed by Chan Parker with complete track listings, the set list including Chasin’ the Bird, Bloomdido, Now’s The Time, and Groovin’ High; accompanied by a letter of provenance from Norman Saks.

While Chan has titled the box 'Bird in Boston' and dated the recordings 21 April 1951, Charlie Parker and Strings performed at Uline's Arena in Washington DC on that date. The most likely explanation is that this performance began on 20 April and concluded in the early morning of 21 April. Provenance: The Estate of Chan Parker – Guernsey’s, 20 Feb 2005, ex-lot 153 – The Collection of Norman Saks (Vail, pl.44).