Summit Meeting at Birdland

Summit Meeting at Birdland is a live album by alto saxophonist Charlie Parker recorded at Birdland in New York City in 1951 and 1953. It was released by Columbia Records in 1977.

History

The first side of the album, recorded in 1951, includes Parker with sidemen Dizzy Gillespie on trumpet, Bud Powell on piano, Tommy Potter on bass, and Roy Haynes on drums. A March 1953 club date with Parker and the Milt Buckner Trio produced one track, "Groovin' High". The final May gig with Parker and pianist John Lewis, bassist Curley Russell, drummer Kenny Clarke, and percussionist Cándido Camero completed the B-side of the LP.

Reception

AllMusic critic Scott Yanow praised the album's "stirring" A-side and stated that the recording quality was "acceptable". Brian Priestley described the A-side with Gillespie and Powell as "a sparkling 25 minutes" in his biography of Parker.

Track listing

"Blue 'n' Boogie" – 7:24
"Anthropology" – 5:47
"'Round Midnight" – 3:35
"A Night in Tunisia" – 5:16
"Groovin' High" – 3:51
"Cool Blues" – 4:20
"Star Eyes" – 5:10
"Moose the Mooche" / "Lullaby of Birdland" – 5:32
"Broadway" / "Lullaby of Birdland" – 3:16

Personnel

Charlie Parker – alto saxophone
Dizzy Gillespie – trumpet
Milt Buckner – organ
Bernie McKay – guitar
Bud Powell – piano
John Lewis – piano
Tommy Potter – bass
Curley Russell – bass
Kenny Clarke – drums
Roy Haynes – drums
Cornelius Thomas – drums
Cándido Camero – percussion