First Recordings

When this LP originally came out, it caused a bit of a sensation for it includes seven selections that were previously unissued by an octet out of Jay McShann's big band. These performances from Nov. 30 and Dec. 2, 1940, in addition to fine solos from trumpeter Bernard Anderson, Bud Gould on the odd double of trombone and violin and pianist McShann, are of supreme importance because they also feature Charlie Parker on alto at the age of 20. Bird was already on his way to forming his influential style and his solo on "Honeysuckle Rose" is his first real classic. In addition, this LP contains a live version of "Cherokee" from 1942, an unusual session on which Parker and trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie are among the musicians backing the blues vocals of Rubberlegs Williams in 1945, and the only documentation of Parker playing with the Cootie Williams Sextet, "Floogie Boo," from a Feb. 1945 broadcast). All of this very valuable material has since been reissued on CD.