Celebrating Charlie Parker

Etched in Stone

Two ideograms,

a saxophone and

a bird, allow

visitors to

identify your

grave without

reading your name.

Decades after

your casket was

placed here,

people still

flock to pay

their respects,

leaving behind

flowers, charms

or the thoughts

in their hearts.

Some come to play

in your presence.

To fill the air

with music, as

you once did.

To send you

notes that say

your talent has

yet to be eclipsed.

Friday, August 29 marks the 94th anniversary of Charlie Parker's birth. As part of the 2014 Charlie Parker Celebration, there will be a 21-Sax Salute on both Friday, August 29 and Saturday, August 30 at the grave site in Lincoln Cemetery. Go to the KC Jazz Alive website for details about these events and the final events of this year's celebration. Remember, you can always learn more about Charlie Parker by visiting the American Jazz Museum.

Follow me on Twitter or click the Join this Site link to follow this blog.

Young Man on the Median

Young Man on the Median

Young man on the median

wishes for some shade

while he stands up in

the heat of the day.

He plays a saxophone

that glistens in the sun.

Scales come first then

a new piece is done.

He bends toward the earth

then back to see the sky.

He wonders if his notes

could ever reach that high.

Young man on the median

practices his craft.

He can't imagine how long

his music will last.

You might also like:

KC Jazz Alive Presents A Kansas City Charlie Parker Celebration

American Jazz Museum

Follow me on Twitter or click the Join this Site link to follow this blog