Priestley, Chasin' the BIRD

Hardcover
264 pages
Oxford University Press, USA

Brian Priestley's biography, 'Chasin' the BIRD, The Life and Legacy of Charlie Parker' focuses mainly on Bird's music, while still describing Parker's tumultuous personal life and his lifelong struggle with heroin addiction. The book contains a thorough investigation of Bird's prodigious musical talent and his contributions to jazz and bebop. He describes what made Bird a legend: his mastery of the alto sax, his brilliant improvisations and the speed with which he played. Priestley provides thorough documentation and analysis of Bird's recordings and gigs, along with 60 pages of included discography.