2011 Inductee – Charlie “Yardbird” Parker – Kansas City, MO – 1min30sec
2011 Inductee – Charlie “Yardbird” Parker – Kansas City, MO – 1min30sec – Childhood — Charlie Parker was born in Kansas City, Kansas and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, the only child of Charles and Addie Parker. Charles, an alcoholic, was often absent. Parker attended Lincoln High School. He enrolled in September 1934 and withdrew in December 1935 about the time he joined the local Musicians Union. Parker displayed no sign of musical talent as a child. His father presumably provided some musical influence; he was a pianist, dancer and singer on the TOBA circuit, although he later became a Pullman waiter or chef on the railways. His mother worked nights at the local Western Union. His biggest influence however was a young trombone player who taught him the basics of improvisation. Parker began playing the saxophone at age 11 and at age 14 joined his school’s band using a rented school instrument. One story holds that, without formal training, he was terrible, and thrown out of the band. Experiencing periodic setbacks of this sort, at one point he broke off from his constant practicing. Early career — It has been said that, in early 1936, Parker participated in a ‘cutting contest’ that included Jo Jones on drums, who tossed a cymbal at Parker’s feet in impatience with his playing. However, in the numerous interviews throughout his life, Jones made no mention of this incident. At this time Parker began to practice with great diligence and rigor, learning the blues, “Cherokee” and “rhythm changes” in all twelve keys. In this woodshedding period …
Missouri Veterans Legislation
Filed under: addiction help kansas city
He says this year the want to see programs that help veterans with addiction issues rather than tossing them in jail. Another item is getting road signs put up so vets can know where to seek medical care at small community-based VA clinics so they don …
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Brazil debates treatment options in crack epidemic
Filed under: addiction help kansas city
"I work to support my addiction, but I only use crack at night. That drug … Rio de Janeiro has taken the lead in trying to help the burgeoning number of users with an approach that city leaders call proactive, but critics pan as unnecessarily …
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