Charlie “Bird” Parker was the kind of genius that comes along once in 100 years. His prowess on the saxophone is considered by many to have few peers. He lived hard in his short and sometimes tragic life, but his legend will live on forever through his prodigious catalog of vinyl.
The famous Manhattan nightclub “Birdland” that opened in 1949 was named in tribute to Parker, and also has an incredible history and storied past in jazz history. As the sign in the front proclaimed, it was known as “The Jazz Corner of the World.”
The original incarnation of Birdland closed in 1965.
Parker on the saxophone.
The front entrance to Birdland, located at 1678 Broadway Ave, in Manhattan’s Midtown neighborhood.