sheldonm Posted July 25, 2004 Report Share Posted July 25, 2004 I'm sure Rooster has seen this but I thought I'd share this photograph I made of the saxophone that Charlie Parker played during the famous Massey Hall show. This is on display at the Jazz Museum in Kansas City. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheldonm Posted July 25, 2004 Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2004 ...and a statue in his honor!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSngry Posted July 25, 2004 Report Share Posted July 25, 2004 Is the statue plastic too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
couw Posted July 25, 2004 Report Share Posted July 25, 2004 the statue looks like tom jones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockefeller center Posted July 25, 2004 Report Share Posted July 25, 2004 Without the underwear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheldonm Posted July 25, 2004 Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2004 Is the statue plastic too? I think it's steel. It is a pretty weird perspective though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catesta Posted July 26, 2004 Report Share Posted July 26, 2004 the statue looks like tom jones I'll be damned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzbo Posted July 27, 2004 Report Share Posted July 27, 2004 The statue hasn't had a chemical peel yet though. The Grafton alto! Such a unique instrument! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.:.impossible Posted July 27, 2004 Report Share Posted July 27, 2004 I thought it was supposed to look like a Buddha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddydwight Posted July 27, 2004 Report Share Posted July 27, 2004 hmmmm. makes one wonder how a plastic sax holds up over the years. B) freddy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheldonm Posted July 27, 2004 Author Report Share Posted July 27, 2004 hmmmm. makes one wonder how a plastic sax holds up over the years. B) freddy It will hold up well if it stays in the glass case ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spontooneous Posted July 27, 2004 Report Share Posted July 27, 2004 Not too long after the plasic sax arrived in KC, the museum engaged Jackie McLean to play a few licks on it. They also brought in Max Roach and Richard Davis to accompany him. You shoulda heard that trio! Gotta admit I'm not fond of the statue. I know folks who really like it, but I also know I'm not alone on this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brownie Posted July 27, 2004 Report Share Posted July 27, 2004 Some history about that plastic saxophone, mostly from the Christie's catalogue of the September 8, 1994 auction that included Bird memorabilia from the Chan Parker collection: 'An early 1950s Grafton alto saxophone of cream acrylic plastic, serial number 10265. Made in London, England, sole distributors John E. Dallas and Sons Ltd. with 'Brilhart Ebolin' mouthpiece and cream webbed saxophone strap by Ray Hipman, in original case - the saxophone given to Charlie Parker in circa 1950 by an Englishman and used by him at the Massey Hall Concert May 15, 1953. Although Parker is primarly associated with the King saxophone, he used this Grafton sax on more occasions than the Massey Hall concert. Chan recalls him playing it at the Open Door on May 9th 1954 and he also played it on at least two documented occasions.' The Grafton saxophone was auctioned for $144,500. It is listed in the Guinness World Records site: http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/index.asp?id=43378 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheldonm Posted July 27, 2004 Author Report Share Posted July 27, 2004 Thanks for the info guys.....didn't the mayor of KC actually bid on this? Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzbo Posted July 27, 2004 Report Share Posted July 27, 2004 (edited) There's a lot of interesting things out there on the web about using non brass materials for reed and brass instruments. . . . One or two scientists seem to have come to the conclusion that if the operation of the valves and openings of the instruments are the same the sound is pretty identical no matter what material you make the body from. But the Grafton had a unique system of springs, keys and pads for the openings, and so it had a different feel and sound---the science claims the sound is from this different form and operation of the springs and pad mechanism and the different structure of the openings. Bird and Ornette seem to really have loved the instrument (Ornette has been quoted as really liking the feel of the instrument especially) but they apparently do develop mechanical problems, and on the road it was very hard to find anyone to repair or adjust the instrument as they do not use the standard technique and parts. I'd like to try one out sometime because I find them very intriguing instruments. Also find the bambo (Key- and pad-less) saxophones you can find for sale on the internet intriguing as well. Maybe even more so. . . . Edited July 27, 2004 by jazzbo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John L Posted July 27, 2004 Report Share Posted July 27, 2004 Lon: I could really use a hit off that one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzbo Posted July 27, 2004 Report Share Posted July 27, 2004 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spontooneous Posted July 27, 2004 Report Share Posted July 27, 2004 Yes, it was the mayor who bid on the Bird horn. The taxpayers of KC were told that the price on the horn was $119K, not $145K. Maybe there were some other fees added on. In the same auction, the city bought "five other items" for $21K, the newspaper clippings say, including a piece of Parker music manuscript. No other details offered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_forumlogo.png.a607ef20a6e0c299ab2aa6443aa1f32e.png)
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.