Charlie Parker With Strings

Though Charlie Parker received quite a bit of criticism during his lifetime for making his 'with Strings' recordings, they are now universally recognized as masterpieces. Parker's idea was to bridge the gap between jazz and classical music. Much of his inspiration originated in the 'modern' composers of the first half of the 20th century including Stravinsky, Bartok, Schoenberg, and Ravel. Norman Granz was initially against making these recordings, but Parker's persistence won out. In 1949, Norman Granz arranged for Parker to record an album of ballads with a mixed group of jazz and chamber orchestra musicians. In addition to Parker on alto saxophone featured were Mitch Miller on oboe and English horn; Bronislav Gimpel, Max Hollander, and Milton Lamask on violin; Frank Brieff on viola; Frank Miller on cello; Meyer Rosen on harp; Stan Freeman on piano; Ray Brown on bass; Buddy Rich on drums; and Jimmy Carroll or Joe Lipman as arranger and conductor. 

Tracklist

1. April in Paris
2. Summertime
3. If I Should Lose You
   
4. I Didn't Know What Time It Was
5. Everything Happens To Me
6. Just Friends
7. They Can't Take That Away From Me
8. East Of The Sun (West Of The Moon)
   
9. Easy To Love
10. You Came Along (From Out Of Nowhere)
11. I'm In The Mood For Love
12. I'll Remember April