Ornithology,
with the Bird trying to teach everyone just how high the moon was, is, and will ever be and how high he is now. He zigs and zags through ins and outs of chords in quantum leaps of invention, he follows a two-note “mop mop” with a five-hundred-notes-a-minute-run-lasting-for-what-almost-seems-all-of-jazz-eternity, leaving us breathless from listening, segueing back to the melody and to the other musicians who have been happy just to listen, keep the beat and play the chords but now with encouraging nods from Bird they try their own tentative solos which get more confident as they go along, for now, they can tell everybody, agents, other musicians, their children and their children’s children fifty years after, just like I’m doing now that they played with Charlie Parker… Excerpt from a poem by Joseph Pacheco – Remembering Bird – A Poem for Charlie Parker
Hello all and welcome to my weekly journal. A place where I share with you 5 points of interest. Things that entertained me, caused me some joy and happiness, or were simply fascinating and I thought you may find of interest.
1. This week I celebrated the birth of a jazz master and innovator, the great Charlie (Bird ) Parker (August 29, 1920 – March 12, 1955).
While I was listening to some of his music I came across some fantastic crooners. The jazz singers, such as Billy Eckstein. Parker played in the singer’s orchestra from 1942 -1944.
Also, Earl Coleman, Coleman recorded two songs with the Charlie Parker Quartet in Los Angeles in 1947 for Dial Records. Erroll Garner was the pianist in that session, Red Callendar was on bass, Harold West was on the drums.
2. One of my favourite actors passed away this week, Ed Asner, November 15, 1929 – August 29, 2021. I feel like I grew up with him on the Mary Tyler Moore Show.
I also enjoyed the Lou Grant show, I believe this was one of the best shows on television in the ’70s. Now I’m inclined to watch the show once again.
3. This week I am reading a book on Chi Kung, The Way of Healing by Master Lam Kam Chuen. I like this book as it details movements that help with energy flow.
The study of the five energies or five elements; Metal, Water, Wood, Fire, and Earth.
During park training this week I focused some of the exercises on the fundamental movements.
The featured photo is of the river that we pass on our walk to the park.
4. My new book is well on its way to completion. I share with you Chapter 3. Scratchy the Squirell – Make Time For Friends.
5. My book, Samba em um Dia de Neve will be part of a new promotion coming soon: New! Children’s Books, Exciting Reads For Kids; September 11 – October 9, 2021.
Thank you for reading. If you think someone you know would enjoy my newsletter please share it with them. If you are looking for a great children’s book check out my new book, Samba in Brazil; Paperback version, on sale for a limited time.
Or one of my other books, Samba on a Snowy Day or the Brazilian/ Portuguese version Samba em um Dia de Neve.
Stay safe, stay well, stay strong and keep going.
Copyright © 2021 Paul Yanuziello, All rights reserved.