Charlie Parker is a name synonymous with jazz royalty. Parker was a jazz saxophonist credited with helping to create and develop a music style known as bebop. Bebop introduced fast tempos, virtuoso technique and improvisation to jazz, changing the face of the music form forever. Bebop became one of America’s most important and successful artistic movements and Parker is regarded as one of its founding fathers.
A saxophone identified as belonging to Charlie Parker is being offered as lot 1185 ($30,000-35,000). Well-known jazz musician Bill Hood befriended and jammed with Parker amongst other music greats such as Dizzy Gillespie, Sarah Vaughan and Marty Paich. Hood’s daughter, Jenifer, was bestowed with the saxophone after his death. Her interest in uncovering the truth of the connection of Parker to the saxophone lead her to uncover the interesting series of events surrounding the jazz great’s instrument.
The tale unfolds with a twist of fate with Hood and Parker at a Portland jazz club. The pair were working together when Parker showed up at the gig without his instrument. When Hood asked where it was Parker replied that he had pawned it. Hood couldn’t believe Parker had parted with his “right arm.” Parker replied that if it was so important to him he was welcome to have it. He then handed Hood the pawn ticket and the rest is history.
Jazz historian Bob Dietsche was featured on the PBS show "History Dectectives" and was integral in verifying details in the saga of the Parker saxophone, with all facts pointing to its validity. Everything from the saxophone’s serial number to jazz acquaintance accounts backs up the timeline and facts surrounding the story. Perhaps some of the most convincing and revealing details crediting the saxophone to Parker come from the source of its recovery; the pawn shop. The only remaining pawn shop in Portland that existed in the 1950s appears to be a direct hit in linking the saxophone to Parker. The owner of the pawn shop was contacted and he distinctly remembers that on several occasions Parker pawned his alto saxophone with his company. The complete, fascinating story is found in the PBS interview including Bill Hood’s daughter, Jenifer, at http://www-tc.pbs.org/opb/historydetectives/static/media/transcripts/2011-04-22/211_sax.pdf.
The saxophone will be available at Michaan’s Auctions in the Modern and Fine Furniture and Decorations Auction held on June 8, 2012. The illustrated auction catalog will be on-line for review athttp://www.michaans.com. Previews will be held from June 1st until the day of sale. For more information please visit our website or call the front desk at (510) 740-0220. Michaan’s Auctions is located at 2751 Todd Street, Alameda, CA 94501.
About Michaan’s Auctions
Michaan’s Auctions is a leading full service Bay Area auction house that specializes in antique appraisals and art auctions. Michaan’s has the Bay Area’s leading fine art appraisal experts in the fields of furniture and decorative arts, modern and contemporary art, European and American paintings and prints, jewelry, Asian works of art and ethnographic art.
Established in 2002, Michaan’s Auctions sell art and other estate pieces at their thirty sales each year that attract a broad base of buyers and consignors from all over the world. With one of the largest facilities in Northern California, Michaan’s offers buyers and sellers the opportunity to preview and bid on many unique and desirable properties with the Bay Area’s lowest buyers premium.
Some of these Bay Area estate auction pieces sold for world record prices. In 2005, A.D.M. Cooper’s oil painting, Three Graces 1915, sold for a record $21,060, and an Eduard Gaertner oil, German City Street Scene 1831, sold for $266,000.
Michaan’s has built its reputation on its ability to accept single items, groups or entire estates with its “no risk consignment policy” free of hidden fees and charges. Michaan’s specialists are dedicated to staying current on the latest issues and developments in the market and are committed to providing personalized and professional attention throughout the entire auction process.
http://news.yahoo.com/legend-charlie-parker-plays-michaan-auctions-excited-announce-070754191.html;_ylc=X3oDMTEwaGg1dDRxBF9TAzIwMjM4Mjc1MjQEZW1haWxJZAMxMzM3MzMzNjA2
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