“Bird Lives!” at the JAZZ ROOM

UNC Charlotte partners with JazzArts Charlotte to continue a Charlie Parker 101 celebration, including his own bebop jazz compositions plus featured selections from the rarely played Charlie Parker with Strings albums.

The JAZZ ROOM provides a casual and intimate setting reminiscent of the classic jazz rooms of yesteryear.

Legendary jazz saxophonist Charlie Parker, “Bird”, led the development of bebop with his musically blazing virtuosity and revolutionary harmonic ideas. Parker’s identifiable tone ranged from clean and penetrating to sweet and somber. While Charlie Parker is recognized as developing the fast-paced sound of bebop, he was a keen lover of classical music. His Grammy award winning album “Charlie Parker with Strings” – a visionary album of ballads incorporating a classical string section and a jazz rhythm section – is dubbed one of the most beautiful jazz recordings of all time. An icon for the hipster subculture, Parker personified the jazz musician as an uncompromising artist and intellectual rather than just an entertainer. His tragically sort life was lived to its fullest and his contributions continue today. “Bird Lives!”

Dr Will Campbell, UNC Charlotte Director of Jazz Studies, will be leading this musical collaboration, including a full string section and jazz combo. Will Campbell has toured internationally as a member of the Harry Connick, Jr. Orchestra. Recording credits include Blue Light, Red Light, When My Heart Finds Christmas, and The New York Big Band Concert (DVD). This JAZZ ROOM performance is part of a full set of Charlie Parker 101 events led by UNC Charlotte celebrating Charlie Parker’s Centennial +1.

Note: In following regional directives and venue protocols for the comfort and safety of attendees, masks will be required at all times inside the Stage Door Theater. No food or beverage will be allowed. Keep your eyes out for opportunities to gather with your JAZZ ROOM friends for dinner or a drink before and after the show at surrounding restaurants.

Thank you to the program sponsors and supporters, who each bring jazz alive in Charlotte: Infusion Fund, Knight Foundation, Doris Duke Foundation, North Carolina Arts Council, and O’s Place Jazz.

Note on COVID Policies: As an affiliate organization of Blumenthal Performing Arts, JazzArts Charlotte will be following BPA COVID-19 venue policies and safety guidelines throughout the season. Due to the current COVID-19 safety requirements, Masks will be required inside the venues and we are unable to offer food and beverage to JAZZ ROOM patrons at the Stage Door Theater. See details.