Charlie Parker

"He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life"- Muhammad Ali. In this quote, Ali shares that reaching goals takes courage. Courage is one of the major characteristics that makes Charlie Parker a hero. Charlie Parker was one of the most influential jazz saxophonists of the 20th century. Born in 1920, Parker was an only child of Addie and Charles Parker.  At a young age, Charlie's parents divorced, leaving him without a father. Parker and his mother moved to Kansas City, Missouri. In junior high school, he tried several instruments and eventually settled on the alto saxophone. When he was only 15, he began playing with bands outside of school. However, he was not yet a well-developed musician and experienced criticism from the professionals he played with. Since Parker was African American, he also had to face racism. Parker had troubles in his life but used music to get through them.  In spite of his struggles, Charlie Parker was a hero because he always kept a positive mindset, stayed determined to be the best and was courageous in his efforts to become a professional saxophone player.

            Although Charlie Parker faced problems becoming a musician, he made it through them by staying positive. As a kid, Charlie Parker experienced hardships: "In 1927 the family moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where Parker attended Crispus Attucks Elementary School. About this time, Parker's parents separated" (Bromberg, Howard). Even though Parker's parents divorced, he stayed positive. Where others would give up their dreams, Charlie worked hard to become a great musician. Even though Parker became a professional, he experienced troubles: "Parker continued to perform in Los Angeles until June 1946, when he suffered a nervous breakdown and was confined at a state hospital. After his release in January 1947, Parker returned to New York and formed a quintet that performed some of his most famous tunes" (CMG Worldwide). Charlie Parker was ashamed after his breakdown in Los Angeles, but after almost a year in the hospital, he went back to New York and kept playing. Charlie Parker lost his father and experienced humiliation, but he kept a positive mindset to achieve his aspirations.

            Charlie Parker's determination to be the best led to his astounding achievements as a musician. Parker did not let the opinions of others stand in his way: "Bassist Gene Ramey described Parker as the 'saddest thing in the Keyes band.'" ..."But Parker was diligent. Known for carrying his horn in a paper bag, the teenager learned a few Lester Young solos note for note while studying basic harmony with some of the local guitarists. He joined the band of Buster Smith, a saxophonist who was an early influence on Parker" (Martin 127). Playing the saxophone was what Parker loved to do. When he was told that he was not a great saxophone player by the instrumentalists he worked with, he did not let their words stop him. Parker's determination also showed in the amount of time he spent perfecting his skills: "Secluding himself with his saxophone (what jazz musicians call woodshedding, working solo until they get the sound right), Parker practiced 'eleven to fifteen hours a day,'" (Bromberg, Howard). Parker spent whole days practicing his saxophone which was more than most professionals. To spend that much time seeking musical perfection shows that Parker was willing to put in the effort to be the best that he could be. Though he experienced rough comments from other musicians, he never gave up. His determination to be the best that he could be showed that he had heroism.

            Finally, Charlie Parker is a hero because he was courageous in his efforts to become a professional saxophone player. Parker showed bravery from the early years in his life: When he was 15, he showed a great interest in music and a love for the alto saxophone. Soon, Parker was playing with local bands until 1935, when he left school to pursue a music career"   (CMG Worldwide). Parker was young when he started playing in front of audiences which takes a tremendous amount of courage. Not only did he play with bands, he quit school. This was a brave move because it showed that Parker believed he had a future in music. Parker also pushed racial boundaries that he faced in the 1930's and 1940's: "Parker and Gillespie also succeeded in reclaiming a piece of jazz for black artists, many of whom had been shoved aside during the 1940s as white mainstream bands took over the popular jazz music scene" (Holmes, Thom). Parker was brave enough to ignore the racism directed at black musicians. He did not let the color of his skin keep him from being the best. Parker was not only brave enough to face white audiences; he played better than famous white musicians. Charlie Parker was courageous and proved that his age and race did not stand in his way. Parker's bravery has not only shaped jazz, it has shaped generations of instrumentalists with his courageousness.