I-435 West KC-KS in Kansas City in Wyandotte County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Charlie "Bird' Parker

Jazz Musician

— August 29, 1920 • Kansas City, Kansas —

Charlie "Bird' Parker Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Jason Voigt, May 26, 2022

1. Charlie "Bird' Parker Marker

Inscription. Alto saxophonist Charles "Yardbird" Parker was born August 29, 1920 in Kansas City, Kansas. He started playing the saxophone at age 11. From 1935 to 1939 he played in competitive Kansas City bands developing his own expressive style. In Harlem, he congregated after hours with jazz greats like Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, Charlie Christian, Max Roach and Kenny 'Klook' Clarke. A leading figure in the bebop scene, he enthralled listeners with his revolutionary harmonic ideas and fast, asymmetrical improvisations.

Erected by Legends Outlets.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. A significant historical date for this entry is August 29, 1920.

Location. 39° 7.602′ N, 94° 49.676′ W. Marker is in Kansas City, Kansas, in Wyandotte County. It is in I-435 West KC-KS. Marker can be reached from Village West Parkway. Marker is on the grounds of Kansas Legends Outlets shopping/entertainment complex. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1865 Village West Pkwy, Kansas City KS 66109, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Bennie Moten (a few steps from this marker); Mary Lou Williams (a few steps from this marker); Coleman "Hawk" Hawkins (within shouting distance

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of this marker); Wilbur "Buck" Clayton (within shouting distance of this marker); Barry Sanders (within shouting distance of this marker); "Jay" McShann (within shouting distance of this marker); Dorothy Gale (within shouting distance of this marker); Edward Dwight, Jr. (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kansas City.

Regarding Charlie "Bird' Parker. This is one of several sidewalk plaques placed on the grounds of Kansas Legends Outlets shopping/entertainment complex, which highlight notable people and inventions that came from the state of Kansas.

Also see . . . Charlie Parker on Wikipedia. (Submitted on July 8, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

Photographed By Jason Voigt, May 26, 2022

2. Charlie "Bird' Parker Marker

Marker is on the grounds of Kansas Legends Outlets complex.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 8, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 92 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 8, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.