Artist page · 04/07/2026

Charlie Parker

Kansas CityBorn in 1920Bebop20 vinyl albums
Charlie Parker (1920-1955), born in Kansas City, revolutionized jazz with bebop, blending complex rhythms and harmonies on alto saxophone during the mid-20th century.
20Albums on Vinyles.com
3876Discogs releases
971kLast.fm listeners

About

Charlie Parker, Jazz's alto sax pioneer shaping bebop's fearless voice.

27 vinyl records including rare colored pressings and live gems — original pressings fetch premium prices.

Charlie Parker, nicknamed Bird, emerged from Kansas City's vibrant jazz scene, later defining bebop in New York City. His alto sax virtuosity influenced jazz's evolution with complex improvisations and harmonic innovations. Parker's work includes notable live and studio recordings from labels like Verve and Savoy.

Parker's discography includes numerous vinyl releases, many reissued with colored vinyl editions reflecting collector interest. His collaborations with Dizzy Gillespie and other bebop pioneers remain benchmarks of the genre. His life was marked by extraordinary talent and personal struggles, impacting the legacy and lore surrounding his recordings.

Discography

Charlie Parker — Discography

Studio albums, EPs and notable live records, from newest to oldest. Drag the timeline to browse.

The Long Lost Bird Live Afro CuBop RecordingsRockBeat Records · 2015
2015
The Long Lost Bird Live Afro CuBop Recordings
CD, Album
Studio
The Washington ConcertsBlue Note · 2001
2001
The Washington Concerts
CD, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Mono
Studio
At The Open DoorEmber Records · 2000
2000
At The Open Door
CD, Album
Studio
Diz 'N Bird At Carnegie HallRoost · 1997
1997
Diz 'N Bird At Carnegie Hall
CD, Album
Studio
Jazz At The Philharmonic 1946Verve Records · 1992
1992
Jazz At The Philharmonic 1946
CD, Album, Reissue, Remastered
Studio
RockerJazz Life · 1991
1991
Rocker
CD, Album, Remastered
Studio
The Bird You Never HeardStash Records Inc. · 1988
1988
The Bird You Never Heard
CD, Album
Studio
Bird At The Roost: The Savoy Years Volume ThreeSavoy Jazz · 1986
1986
Bird At The Roost: The Savoy Years Volume Three
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
At StoryvilleBlue Note · 1985
1985
At Storyville
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Parker Plus StringsCharlie Parker Records · 1983
1983
Parker Plus Strings
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
One Night In WashingtonElektra Musician · 1982
1982
One Night In Washington
Vinyl, LP, Album, Remastered, Stereo
Studio
FragmentsCharlie Parker Records · 1982
1982
Fragments
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
BirdologyCharlie Parker Records · 1982
1982
Birdology
Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue
Studio
Live SessionsPhoenix 10 · 1981
1981
Live Sessions
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Bird At The ApolloCharlie Parker Records · 1981
1981
Bird At The Apollo
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
One Night In ChicagoSavoy Records · 1980
1980
One Night In Chicago
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
Bird At The RoostSavoy Records · 1977
1977
Bird At The Roost
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
One Night In BirdlandColumbia · 1977
1977
One Night In Birdland
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Summit Meeting At BirdlandColumbia · 1977
1977
Summit Meeting At Birdland
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
EncoresSavoy Records · 1977
1977
Encores
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Apartment Jam SessionsZim Records · 1977
1977
Apartment Jam Sessions
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
At The Pershing Ballroom (Chicago 1950)Zim Records · 1976
1976
At The Pershing Ballroom (Chicago 1950)
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
Swedish SchnappsVerve Records · 1958
1958
Swedish Schnapps
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mispress, Mono
Studio
Charlie Parker Big BandClef Records · 1954
1954
Charlie Parker Big Band
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
It Happened One Night - In Concert September 1947Natural Organic ·
It Happened One Night - In Concert September 1947
Vinyl, LP, Album
Live
Studio album Live / EP

Playlist

Signature tracks

The tracks that sum up Charlie Parker's career.

01
Summertime
·
02
Ornithology
Ornithology
At The Open Door · 2000
03
Just Friends
·
04
Scrapple from the Apple
Scrapple from the Apple
Rocker · 1991
05
All the Things You Are
All the Things You Are
At The Open Door · 2000
06
April In Paris
·
07
Yardbird Suite
·
08
Now's the Time
·

The essentials

The 3 Charlie Parker albums you absolutely need

Our pick, validated by the editorial team.

#1 · 2023
Vinyl
Bird & Diz

A collaboration with Dizzy Gillespie showcasing bebop's intricate interplay and landmark compositions from the early 1950s.

12 tracksVerve labelRecent pressing
#2 · 2018
Vinyl
Jazz At Massey Hall

Live recording of an historic 1953 concert featuring Parker with other bebop luminaries, capturing peak creative jazz moments.

15 tracksIntermusic labelCentennial edition available
#3 · 2014
Vinyl
3 ORIGINAL ALBUMS

Compilation of key early recordings illustrating Parker's bebop innovations and saxophone mastery across multiple sessions.

CompilationVINYL PASSION labelBebop genre

Collectors

For vinyl die-hards

The hidden side of the catalogue: rare pressings, sought-after matrices, Discogs values.

Market values (source: Discogs)

For each reference edition, these cards summarise the state of the global Discogs market. Market position places the average price of a copy between the observed min and max prices. Average price is the price seen for a mint-condition copy. Copies available counts listings currently for sale. Collectors who want it is the number of Discogs users who added it to their wantlist without owning it — a good signal of upcoming demand.

The Long Lost Bird Live Afro CuBop Recordings
Master release · LP · 2015
Market position i
9,90 €
Min price 10 €Max price 10 €
Average price 9,90 €
Only 68 copies for sale on Discogs
21 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
The Washington Concerts
Master release · LP · 2001
Market position i
17,41 €
Min price 16 €Max price 19 €
Average price 17,41 €
Only 37 copies for sale on Discogs
27 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)

Notable pressings & editions

AlbumEdition Country · Year Matrix Market tension Value
The Long Lost Bird Live Afro CuBop RecordingsLP, Album, Record Store Day
RockBeat Records US · 2023 ROC-3460, RB-3460 Original pressing
21 want · 22 have · ratio 1
9,90 €
The Washington ConcertsLP, Album, Record Store Day, Reissue, Mono
Blue Note US · 2020 B0031688-01, 8801 🔥 Standard edition
27 want · 131 have · ratio 0,2
19,15 €
The Washington ConcertsLP, Album, Reissue, Mono
Blue Note Worldwide · 2020 0866903, 8801 Original pressing
27 want · 131 have · ratio 0,2
15,66 €

Face B

Side B: the hidden stories of Charlie Parker

Studio secrets, touring anecdotes and B-sides worth the whole album.

Bebop is about playing something they can't play, pushing jazz forward into uncharted territory.
— Thelonious Monk
01Recording

Bird & Diz Collaboration

In 1951, Parker reunited with Dizzy Gillespie to record "Bird & Diz", one of bebop's most revered albums, marking a high point in their musical partnership.

1951New York
02Live Concert

Jazz At Massey Hall 1953

This live concert in Toronto in 1953, featuring Parker alongside Bud Powell, Max Roach, and Charles Mingus, captures a legendary performance now issued on vinyl.

1953Toronto
03Vinyl Pressing

The Long Lost Bird Live Afro CuBop Recordings

The 2023 RockBeat Records LP release of "The Long Lost Bird Live Afro-Cubop Recordings" represents a rare Record Store Day pressing sought after for its unique Afro-Cuban Jazz set.

2023US
04Addiction

Struggles with Addiction

Parker's heroin addiction affected his career and life deeply, leading to erratic behavior including hospital stays, reflecting the darker side behind his musical genius.

Late 1940sCalifornia

Records by Charlie Parker

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CDs by Charlie Parker

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FAQ

FAQ: Charlie Parker on physical formats

The most common questions about pressings, reissues and limited editions.

Who was Charlie Parker and what was his main contribution to jazz?

Charlie Parker was an American alto saxophonist who pioneered bebop, introducing complex harmonies and fast tempos that transformed jazz.

What are some essential vinyl albums by Charlie Parker?

Key albums include Bird & Diz, Jazz At Massey Hall, and 3 Original Albums, often available on various vinyl formats and pressings.

Where was Charlie Parker born and when did he start playing saxophone?

Parker was born in Kansas City in 1920 and began playing saxophone by age 11, joining school orchestras during his youth.

What labels released Charlie Parker's vinyl records?

Notable labels include Verve, Savoy, Blue Note, and Intermusic, many of which have issued colored vinyl and reissues.

Are there any notable live recordings of Charlie Parker on vinyl?

Yes, Jazz At Massey Hall (1953) and The Long Lost Bird Live Afro CuBop Recordings (2023) are examples of live sets available on vinyl.

What impact did Parker's addiction have on the jazz scene?

Parker's heroin addiction led to personal struggles and influenced the jazz community, affecting many musicians and the evolution of the genre.

What's the price range for Charlie Parker vinyl records today?

Prices vary widely, with rare original pressings exceeding €15 and colored or special editions available from about €10 upwards.

Where can I find Charlie Parker vinyl in France?

French markets feature reissues on labels like Intermusic, Le Chant du Monde, and Blue Note, accessible through specialty record stores and online marketplaces.

Transparency

Sources & method

This page is compiled by the vinyles.com editorial team from public sources and our marketplace.

Our method

  1. Discographic data from MusicBrainz (dates, countries, activity period).
  2. Tracklists, artwork and genres retrieved via Discogs Masters.
  3. Values (low / median / high) and stock from the Discogs Marketplace.
  4. Audience and similar artists via Last.fm.
  5. Page updated automatically and reviewed by the editorial team.
Last updated: 04/07/2026