Impulse!/Verve present “The Passion of Charlie Parker”, an album of iconic Parker songs transformed through the addition of lyrics to create a musical play that narrates Bird’s life. Produced by Larry Klein with lyrics by David Baerwald, the album features actor Jeffrey Wright in the role of Parker as narrator, with vocals provided by Wright, Gregory Porter, Madeleine Peyroux, Melody Gardot, Barbara Hannigan, Luciana Souza, Kurt Elling and Camille Bertault.
This ambitious project reimagines the music of Charlie Parker with lyrics that tell the story of Parker's life. Produced by Grammy winner Larry Klein (Joni Mitchell, Herbie Hancock) with lyrics by David Baerwald, the album features actor Jeffrey Wright portraying Parker as narrator, while Gregory Porter, Madeleine Peyroux, Melody Gardot, Barbara Hannigan, Luciana Souza, Kurt Elling and Camille Bertault lend their voices. The singers are backed by a superb band consisting of pianist Craig Taborn, saxophonist Donny McCaslin, guitarist Ben Monder, bassists Larry Grenadier and Scott Colley and drummers Mark Giuliana and Eric Harland.
01. Meet Charlie Parker (Chan's Overture) (Madeleine Peyroux, Donny McCaslin, Ben Monder, Eric Harland, Larry Grenadier) (6:21)
02. The Epitaph Of Charlie Parker (The Funeral) (Barbara Hannigan, Donny McCaslin, Ben Monder, Eric Harland, Mark Guiliana) (3:55)
03. Yardbird Suite (A Genius In His Youth) (Gregory Porter, Donny McCaslin, Ben Monder, Mark Guiliana) (4:52)
04. So Long (Exodus To New York City) (Jeffrey Wright, Donny McCaslin, Ben Monder, Eric Harland) (7:57)
05. Every Little Thing (The Song Of The Acolyte) (Luciana Souza, Donny McCaslin, Ben Monder, Eric Harland) (3:23)
06. Central Avenue (A Dark Journey To Los Angeles) (Donny McCaslin, Ben Monder, Eric Harland) (1:28)
07. Los Angeles (The Dealer's Song) (Kurt Elling, Donny McCaslin, Ben Monder, Eric Harland) (4:19)
08. Live My Love For You (Chan's Love Song) (Kandace Springs, Donny McCaslin, Ben Monder, Eric Harland) (3:45)
09. Fifty Dollars (Angels And Demons) (Jeffrey Wright, Donny McCaslin, Ben Monder, Eric Harland) (6:51)
10. The King Of 52nd Street (Chan's Declaration) (Melody Gardot, Donny McCaslin, Ben Monder, Eric Harland) (3:40)
11. Salle Pleyel (The Journey To Paris) (Donny McCaslin, Ben Monder, Eric Harland) (1:03)
12. Après vous (The Apotheosis Of Charlie Parker) (Camille Bertault, Donny McCaslin, Ben Monder, Eric Harland) (2:47)
Rec.: Brooklyn Studios, Brooklyn, NY, 2016.
