The Jazz Foundation of America Presents “Bird Calls”

About

“Bird Calls,” a special livestream event celebrating the centennial of Charlie Parker, is a two-hour all-star show recorded at the Brooklyn Bowl in New York, Vibrato Grill in Los Angeles, and the New Orleans Jazz Museum to benefit the JFA’s COVID-19 Musicians’ Emergency Fund. The show will stream on the live concert platform FANS (FANS.LIVE/BIRDCALLS) at 8 p.m. ET, with a replay at 8 p.m. PT.

The Brooklyn performances will feature alto saxophonists Antonio Hart, Vincent Herring, Miguel Zenón, Jaleel Shaw, and Japan’s Erena Terakubo, supported by pianists Kenny Barron, George Cables, Bill O’Connell, and Dave Kikoski; bassists Buster Williams, Kim Clarke, Kiyoshi Kitagawa, David Wong, and James Genus; drummers Jordan, Billy Hart, Nasheet Waits, and Craig Haynes; trumpeters Jimmy Owens and Keyon Harrold; and guitarist Russell Malone. Other guests include Sheila Jordan, Barry Harris, Roy Haynes, and Sonny Rollins.

The L.A. portion of the program will feature veteran alto stars Gary Bartz (with pianist Patrice Rushen, bassist Alex Al, and drummer Roy McCurdy) and Tom Scott (with pianist Tom Rainier, bassist Chris Colangelo, and drummer Gary Novak). In New Orleans, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band will hold the stage. 

“Bird Calls” will also feature special appearances by JFA board member Danny Glover and Grammy-winning historian Phil Schaap, along with archival material focusing on Charlie Parker’s contributions to American music.