Jazz Hawkins and Parker

half diminished · Mar 18, 2009

Interesting sideways look from Parker!

AlanU · Mar 24, 2009

Hmm, yes.
Cocky wasn't he.
Would you say derisive was the word?

Mind you, Hawk looks like he's thinking 'when's this punk gonna quit with all those notes'.

Great to see though.
I think there are only three or four bits of film of Parker, and only one with a live soundtrack.
In hindsight that's amazing, but that's what you get for being a black junkie playing subversive music at that time in America.

Mikec · Mar 25, 2009

I'm pretty sure that I saw on a documentary about Parker that they were required to mime the piece, which embarrassed Parker, hence the look at Hawkins. The producer, off camera, chastises Parker who then looks a little sheepish.

AlanU · Mar 29, 2009

I think the only live sound one is of Parker and Gillespie on TV collecting a 'Downbeat' award, playing 'Hothouse'.
The one where Parker's bow tie wiggles up and down as he plays!
He also seems to have a problem with a key on the upper stack, quite possibly not his horn anyway.

saxismyaxe · Apr 24, 2009

In all fairness to Parker (who was not an ego maniac by any stretch) there is no telling what went on prior to and during that recording session. Hawkins was a Diva in every sense of the word, and personality clashes abounded every time he walked into a room populated with other musicians.

Great players both none the less.

Young Col · Apr 24, 2009

Mike beat me to it. I was going to make the same point about the documentary. I always wondered why Bird was grimacing like that but it makes sense when you realise it was all mimed - and Bird got told off for it!

old git · Apr 25, 2009

Mike C., you da man!
You might also notice that Hawkins is taking a breath while the sound continues. Did he do circular breathing? ;}

Mikec · Apr 25, 2009

old git said:
Mike C., you da man!
You might also notice that Hawkins is taking a breath while the sound continues. Did he do circular breathing? ;}

As we know from another thread, Parker played telepathically, so he's obviously playing both parts, hence the amused look. Hawkins was a mere bystander.