2020 is the centenary of the birth of Charlie Parker, the greatest saxophonist of the 20th century. Getting in early, the record is released tomorrow, but no opportunists at all given their bop and beyond pedigree and deep immersion in all things Ornithological saxophonists Vincent Herring, Bobby Watson and Gary Bartz have Bird at 100 on the Smoke Sessions Records label out recorded live at Smoke Jazz and Supper Club in New York as recently as 30-31 August and 1 September.

Bartz was born, the publicity material notes, “just as Parker was making his mark in New York City, and thus grew up in a musical world indelibly marked by his unmistakable sound. Watson came into the world less than two years before Parker left it, mentored by first-generation bop giants like Art Blakey. And Herring was part of a movement that reimagined bebop for a wholly new generation, while maintaining a link with the source through such greats as Nat Adderley and Freddie Hubbard.”

The rhythm section on the record is pianist David Kikoski, bassist Yasushi Nakamura, and drummer Carl Allen.

Vincent Herring says: “It’s amazing how much Charlie Parker has touched so many different people in their pursuit of music. We certainly take in other influences as well, and of course we all hope to put our own stamp on it, but Bird is always there through his vocabulary and his way of interpreting of the music.” Gary Bartz puts it like this: “Bird changed the whole landscape of the music with his virtuosity, his harmonic knowledge, and his musicality. To me, he’s like the modern-day Bach.” And Bobby Watson sums up: “People like Bird, Duke Ellington and Monk all loved to hear people put different spins and interpret their music through their own voice. So I wanted to add my voice on the saxophone and add some different spins on his classic compositions and song forms.” SG