Episode
"Charlie Parker with Strings" – Charlie Parker
- Published
- Feb 23, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 4572
- Processing state
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- https://youllhearit.com/episodes/charlie-parker-with-strings
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Summary
Charlie Parker was punk rock before there was punk rock. His bebop was underground music: subversive, intellectual, and a major departure from popular music of the day (think: Nat King Cole, The Andrews Sisters, Perry Como). He was an intellectual heavyweight, nearly untouchable in his technical ability and pushing music to places no one else was daring to go. So where did Charlie Parker with Strings, his most accessible album, come from? It's not Bird going commercial, like some have claimed. Charlie Parker with Strings is an album he fought to make. He loved Bach and Stravinsky (even quoting the opening of Stravinsky's 'Firebird Suite' mid-solo in one legendary performance), and had longed to make a record where his jazz saxophone was accompanied by strings. The resulting record is music's greatest improviser at his best. Jazz pianists Peter Martin and Adam Maness listen to select tracks (like "Just Friends" and "Summertime"), breaking down the theory behind the music to understand what makes this album great. Jazz is the foundation of the most GENIUS music in recent history: Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Joni Mitchell, D'Angelo. In this popular music series, You'll Hear It, Adam and Peter break down the greatest albums of all time. These seasoned jazz pianists bring their deep musical knowledge to every joyful episode to help you hear the hidden qualities that make music AMAZING. You'll never hear music the same way again. Like the jam at the end of the show? Head to @openstudiomusic on YouTube for more. Visit Open Studio for ALLLLL your jazz lesson needs: https://osjazz.link/yhi 00:00 - Intro: Charlie Parker with Strings 01:10 - "Just Friends" 04:40 - Want to Be a Great Musician? Study This Track 10:20 - Early Recording: "Swingmatism" (1941) 12:45 - The Secret to…