American Literature: James Baldwin's "Sonny's Blues" (The Music)

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Am I Blue? -- Andor's Jazz Band 2008



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"Am I Blue?" is mentioned in James Baldwin's "Sonny's Blues" (in the African-American Literature Anthology, edited by Demetrice A. Worley and Jesse Perry, Jr., page 130).

I have a feeling, though, that Sonny's rendition was much livelier than this version.

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Charlie Parker and Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young, et al, 1950 - 1 of 2



kenjames64 says,
This is one of two surviving sound films of Charlie Parker playing (and certainly the longest; the other is only 52 seconds long). Until recently, this film was a rumor, and only still photos of it existed.

Watch Bird's amused expression as he watches Hawkins solo, and also how he cuts off the older Tenor man's solo. Although the musicians are filmed playing against tracks recorded earlier, it's still a fascinating and rare look at Bird on film.

1. Ballad (Hawkins, Bird, Jones, Brown, Rich)

2. Celebrity (Bird, Jones, Brown, Rich)

Personnel:
Charlie Parker (as)
Coleman Hawkins (ts)
Hank Jones (p)
Ray Brown (b)
Buddy Rich (d)
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Bird, Bean, and Prez, et al, 1950 - 2 of 2



kenjames 64 says,
1. Ad Lib: Hank Jones (p), Ray Brown (b), Buddy Rich (d)

2. Pennies From Heaven (unrecognizable): Bill Harris (tb), Lester Young (ts), Jones (p), Brown (b), Rich (d)

3. Blues For Greasy: Same as 2, with Harry Edison (t), Flip Phillips (ts), Ella Fitzgerald (v)
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In Sonny's Blues, Charlie Parker ("Bird") is mentioned several times, and is one of Sonny's favorite jazz musicians (page 119).

About Charlie Parker

About James Baldwin
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