The Case:
A woman owns a beautiful old alto saxophone that belonged to her father and according to family legend was once owned by the legendary jazz musician Charlie "Bird" Parker.
Her late father, a white musician, told her that when they lived in Portland, Oregon, Charlie Parker came to a practice session without his horn.
The story goes that when her father chided Parker for selling his instrument, Bird said, "If you want the horn so much, here's the pawn ticket."
But is the story true? Did these two musicians ever meet? Would Charlie Parker abandon his horn?
History Detectives investigates an original American art form and the life of a troubled musical genius
Season 2, Episode 11
Detective:
Wes Cowan
Detective:
Gwen Wright
Location:Oakland, California
Related Content
Technique:
Feature:
Feature:
Related Links
Explore
-
Also in Post War: 1945-1960
Car Tape Deck
Is this an example of the first ever commercially produced car tape player?
-
Also with Gwen Wright
Revolutionary War Poem
How did this poem, written by an American prisoner in England in 1780 end up in Oregon 200 years later?
-
Also in Post War: 1945-1960
Camp David Letter
Could a box found in a dumpster hold information about the founding of a top-secret Presidential retreat?
-
Also with Wes Cowan
Bonus Army Stamp
Is this stamp connected to a moment when the U.S. Army fought fellow soldiers in the nation’s capital?
-
Also with Wes Cowan
Mankato Spoon
What does this delicate silver spoon have to do with the largest mass execution in American history?
-
Related Investigation
Lincoln Letter
Does this cryptic letter reveal Abraham Lincoln's secret strategy for winning political power?
Comments
This is a place for opinions, comments, questions and discussion; a place where viewers of History Detectives can express their points of view and connect with others who value history. We ask that posters be polite and respectful of all opinions. History Detectives reserves the right to delete comments that don’t conform to this conduct. We will not respond to every post, but will do our best to answer specific questions, or address an error.