Charlie Parker & Dizzy Gillespie, "Hot House" at DuMont Television, February 24, 1952 (in color)

Charlie Parker & Dizzy Gillespie, "Hot House" at DuMont Television, February 24, 1952 (in color)

Introduction to Leonard Feather

Welcoming Leonard Feather

  • The host introduces Leonard Feather, highlighting the significance of the occasion and expressing a light-hearted confusion about contemporary greetings in the music industry.
  • Emphasizes the concept of brotherhood in music, stating that talent transcends race and religion when musicians come together.

Celebrating Diversity in Music

  • Discusses how the Downbeat's All-American Band represents diversity through different creeds and races, reinforcing unity within the music community.

Awards Presentation

Honoring Jazz Legends

  • The host announces Charlie Parker as the recipient of the Downbeat award for Best Alto Sax Man of 1951, celebrating his contributions to jazz.
  • Dizzy Gillespie is also recognized with an award for being one of the top trumpet players, showcasing mutual respect among jazz musicians.

Musicians' Preference for Expression

  • Both Parker and Gillespie express their preference for letting their music speak rather than using words, indicating a deep connection to their art form.
Video description

Broadcasted on the Earl Wilson Show 'Stage Entrance' on February 24 (or 25?), 1952. Charlie Parker Plays with Dizzy Gillespie in the Only Footage Capturing the “Bird” in True Live Performance (Article by Mike Springer) Here’s a historic TV broadcast of the founding fathers of bebop, Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie, playing together in 1952. It’s one of only two known sound films of Parker playing–and the only one of him playing live, rather than synching to a prerecorded track. The performance is from a February 24, 1952 broadcast on the pioneering DuMont Television Network. The segment begins with a brief ceremony in which Parker and Gillespie receive awards from Down Beat magazine (Earl Wilson and Leonard feather). Follows a performance of the bebop standard “Hot House,” composed by Tad Dameron around the harmonic structure of Cole Porter’s “What Is This Thing Called Love?.” The quintet includes Parker on alto saxophone, Gillespie on trumpet, Sandy Block on bass, Charlie Smith on drums and Dick Hyman on piano. It was Hyman, who had played with Parker and had his own nightly show on the DuMont network, who helped organize the appearance. In a 2010 interview with JazzWax, Hyman talked about what it was like playing on the show with Parker and Gillespie. “It was together,” he said. “Those guys played with such a good time and feel. It’s a terrific performance considering it was a pop show with just two cameras.” Source https://www.openculture.com/2013/03/charlie_parker_plays_with_dizzy_gillespie.html Colorized with AI software.