Charles Parker Memorial Jazz Breakfast

Apr 20, 1975

Field:

Concert, Performance

Location:

Grand Luxe Hall, Western Front

Description:

Commemorating the twentieth anniversary of the death of American saxophonist Charlie Parker, Western Front hosted a formal champagne breakfast that featured live performances by a roster of musicians—some of whom knew Parker personally—and a slideshow by Eric Metcalfe that documented the life of Parker. Performers included Fraser MacPherson (tenor saxophone), Jack Stafford (alto saxophone), Don Clarke (trumpet), Ron Johnston (piano), Tony Clitherole (bass), and George Ursan (drums). The event was hosted by Bob Smith, with Bayard Palmer acting as maître d’.

A musician playing the trumpet wears a black tuxedo and hair combed to the side. Behind them, is a musician playing a bass guitar next to potted daffodils.

A bassist, trumpet player and drummer play their instruments in front of a painted sheet reading Bird Lives. The drummer's face is entirely blocked by a cymbal.

A musician plays the saxophone while wearing dark colors. Their hand and saxophone are captured in great focus, while everything else becomes blurred.

A blurry mic and saxophone occupy the foreground of the image. Just behind, in full focus, a trumpet player blows wind through their instrument while holding down the second button.

A musician closes their eyes while pushing their breath through a saxophone.

Five musicians are lit by a spotlight. They stand in two rows. The front row consists of a trumpeter in between two saxophonists, and in the back is a drummer and bassist.

A saxophone player in a plaid suit smiles out at the crowd. Behind them you can see the curve of a spotlight and the painted phrase Bird.

A musician in a plaid suit closes their eyes while leaning back with their saxophone.

Two saxophonists lean forward, looking at sheet music on a stand. Meanwhile a trumpeter closes their eyes and leans back, playing with much force.

A saxophonist in a checkered suit blows into their instrument. They close their eyes in concentration.

Captions:

Tony Clitherole and Don Clarke performing at Charles Parker Memorial Jazz Breakfast, photo documentation, Apr 20, 1975.
Tony Clitherole and Don Clarke performing at Charles Parker Memorial Jazz Breakfast, photo documentation, Apr 20, 1975.
Jack Stafford performing at Charles Parker Memorial Jazz Breakfast, photo documentation, Apr 20, 1975.
Don Clarke performing at Charles Parker Memorial Jazz Breakfast, photo documentation, Apr 20, 1975.
Fraser MacPherson and Tony Clitherole performing at Charles Parker Memorial Jazz Breakfast, photo documentation, Apr 20, 1975.
Fraser MacPherson, Tony Clitherole, George Ursan, Don Clarke, and Jack Stafford performing at Charles Parker Memorial Jazz Breakfast, photo documentation, Apr 20, 1975.
Fraser MacPherson performing at Charles Parker Memorial Jazz Breakfast, photo documentation, Apr 20, 1975.
Fraser MacPherson performing at Charles Parker Memorial Jazz Breakfast, photo documentation, Apr 20, 1975.
Fraser MacPherson, Don Clarke, and Jack Stafford performing at Charles Parker Memorial Jazz Breakfast, photo documentation, Apr 20, 1975.
Fraser MacPherson performing at Charles Parker Memorial Jazz Breakfast, photo documentation, Apr 20, 1975.

Western Front is a non-profit artist-run centre in Vancouver.

We acknowledge the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations as traditional owners of the land upon which Western Front stands.