One Night in Birdland


One Night in Birdland is a live album by American jazz saxophonist Charlie Parker recorded at Birdland on May 15–16, 1950. Recorded in low audio quality on a private tape, it was released as an LP by Columbia Records. Parker's quintet features trumpeter Fats Navarro, and rhythm section Bud Powell, Curley Russell, and Art Blakey.

Critical reception

Critic Scott Yanow noted, "the recording quality is not state of the art but the music on this two-LP set is often quite brilliant." He praised the "inspired" "all-star lineup" of the quintet.
In The Penguin Guide to Jazz, Richard Cook praised the album and awarded it four out of four stars, calling it a "marvelous moment" and praised Navarro in particular, claiming "There are moments on this when Parker is very nearly eclipsed by Fats Navarro."
The album received a five out of five rating from John Swenson of The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide.
John McDonough of DownBeat praised the album, noting, "Navarro and Parker are not merely throwing lines back and forth. They are finishing each other's ideas. Aside from Parker himself, the most impressive aspect of the music is Bud Powell. He was bop's most complete pianist, and here he is at the top of his form."

Track listing

All compositions by Charlie Parker unless otherwise stated
  1. "Wahoo" – 6:34
  2. "'Round Midnight" – 5:07
  3. "This Time the Dream's on Me" – 6:13
  4. "Dizzy Atmosphere" – 6:52
  5. "A Night in Tunisia" – 5:38
  6. "Move" – 6:30
  7. "Street Beat" – 9:27
  8. "Out of Nowhere" – 6:20
  9. "Little Willie Leaps" / "52nd Street Theme" – 5:44
  10. "Ornithology" – 7:50
  11. "I'll Remember April" / "52nd Street Theme" – 9:23
  12. "Embraceable You" – 6:20
  13. "Cool Blues" / "52nd Street Theme" – 9:09

Personnel