August 29th is a very famous birthday for various people..One for Michael Jackson so-called King of Pop, but this one is about the King of Be Bop Saxophonists Charlie Parker or, aka, Yard Bird! The Jazz community in Leimert Park was honoring the “Bird” on his 99 birthday.
Parker a 34 year old man died in March 1955, months before his 35th Birthday. Before that happened, Yard Bird or “Charlie’ was known as the absolute truth on jazz saxophone. Most youngsters or vet musicians wanted to play and sound like him..some even went to the pits of hell with major drugs and its abuse to follow the Bird. After saying all that, Robert J. Carmack wrote a play about the man, about the two inner-men other that “Bird,” Most people knew nothing about.. the others were the man as Father, Husband and musical genius!. Carmack’s play was not being performed, but a fictional dramatic scene from the tragic story of Parker through the eyes of a person who only wanted to be loved and to love those as he loved the music.
The amazing evening’s entertainment package consisted of a hand picked group of L.A. experienced musicians and a newcomer that’s trending very positive as a budding master of Jazz. Drummer/percussionist-Don Littleton’s Super Trio :James Leary Bass, Robert “Bobby” Pierce piano, Jazz soloists were Randall Willis Alto, Charles Owens Tenor and jazz sensation Chris Astoquillca on alto. Host/MC: Robert J. Carmack- producer, writer and actor.
The enthusiastic audience were up clapping and yelling from their seats because the musicians were off into another gear, especially young saxophonist Chris Astoquillca. who was let loose in second set and He did not disappoint. The buzz around Leimert Park Village the NEXT day told the true story. Chris made an IMPRESSION on the veteran players and the audience. Carmack is thinking ahead and looking forward to the followup event in November, Thanksgiving weekend…
POCKET JAZZ PRESENTS: CTI RECORDs Tribute ~ California Concert Redux 2! November 2019 music of Freddie Hubbard, Stanley Turrentine , Esther Phillips, Hank Crawford,Grover Washington,George Benson and other surprises..follow us on face book ~ Pocket Jazz Presents..#CaliforniaConcertRedux2
Robert J. Carmack has already begun discussions around presenting the entire play in August of 2020. Carmack has planned for a multi-night special event in 2020, on Charlie Parker Birthday next year in both Los Angeles, and San Francisco.. a Play – Night of Poets and Jazz Nu Beat Poets Society and Visual Artists(Painters,Sculptors and Assemblage art.
COMING SOON New Jazz Legends Series Pocket Jazz Presents! 2019/2020
About the producer: Robert J. Carmack He was first exposed to jazz in the late 1950s, as a kid watching the Steve Allen show. He would play with famous musicians, Robert liked the sound, He did not know the name of it. One day while watching the Dobie Gillis show with Maynard, who was a beatnik, said he would do anything to sit-in with Thelonious Monk playing Bongos.. years later, as young Robert was just starting out in music as a saxophone player, he heard a record by a friend’s big brother, who said “this is Monk’s, well you needn’t.” He made the earlier connection from his childhood, now a teenage player in a band, Carmack was hip and cool with his Tam and sunglasses .. Now all the young girls loved it because, He was different than the other guys.
Carmack went on to play professionally under a undisclosed stage name, for 25+ years, then due to medical issues became a writer of jazz history and avid fan of great players. As a writer / producer or blogger, He has worked, interviewed or promoted such luminaries as, McCoy Tyner, Doug Carn, Azar Lawrence, Bobby Womack, Commodores, Freddie Hubbard, Sonny Fortune, Andy Bey, Mandrill/Lowrider band, Acknowledgement, Juini Booth/ LA Fog Band and the Sun Ra Tribute with R J Carmack & Juini Booth. contact: blues2jazz2003@yahoo.com~ @blues2jazzguy , or just follow on this site http://www.hipstersanctuary.com
posted by Kamaad Tauhid @blues2jazzguy
