Music Monday: Bird is the Word

In this video clip from 1952, Charlie “Bird” Parker and John Birks “Dizzy” Gillespie perform Parker’s composition “Hot House,” originally recorded in 1945. Parker and Gillespie were both responsible for the introduction of Be-Bop jazz, which features a fast tempo as well as instrumental improvisation and virtuosic playing by soloists. This style was a big change from the large ensembles of the preceding swing and big band era. We hope you enjoy this clip, one of the few existing videos of Charlie Parker.