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The E-flat alto saxophone, once owned by jazz great Charlie Parker, is a Buescher Aristocrat, made in Elkhart, Ind., in the 1930s. Image courtesy Michaan's Auctions.

Michaan’s Auctions will sell Charlie Parker alto sax June 8

The E-flat alto saxophone, once owned by jazz great Charlie Parker, is a Buescher Aristocrat, made in Elkhart, Ind., in the 1930s. Image courtesy Michaan's Auctions.
The E-flat alto saxophone, once owned by jazz great Charlie Parker, is a Buescher Aristocrat, made in Elkhart, Ind., in the 1930s. Image courtesy Michaan’s Auctions.

ALAMEDA, Calif. – A saxophone identified as belonging to jazz legend Charlie Parker is being offered at Michaan’s Auctions on June 8. The 1930s E-flat alto sax is expected to sell for $30,000-$35,000.

LiveAuctioneers.com will provide Internet live bidding at the auction, which will begin at 10 a.m. PDT.

Charlie Parker is a name synonymous with jazz royalty. He was a jazz saxophonist credited with helping to create and develop a music style known as bebop. Bebop introduced fast tempos, virtuoso technique and improvisation to jazz, changing the face of the music form forever. Bebop became one of America’s most important and successful artistic movements, and Parker, who died in 1955 at the age of 34, is regarded as one of its founding fathers.

Well-known jazz musician Bill Hood befriended and jammed with Parker among other music greats such as Dizzy Gillespie, Sarah Vaughan and Marty Paich. Hood’s daughter, Jenifer, was bestowed with the saxophone after his death. Her interest in uncovering the truth of the connection of Parker to the saxophone lead her to uncover the interesting series of events surrounding the jazz great’s instrument.

The tale unfolds with a twist of fate with Hood and Parker at a Portland jazz club. They were working together when Parker showed up at the gig without his instrument. When Hood asked where it was, Parker replied that he had pawned it. Hood couldn’t believe Parker had parted with his “right arm.” Parker replied that if it was so important to him he was welcome to have it. He then handed Hood the pawn ticket.

Parker, who was addicted to drugs, was known to have occasionally pawned his instruments.

Jazz historian Bob Dietsche was featured on the PBS show History Dectectives and was integral in verifying details in the saga of the Parker saxophone, with all facts pointing to its validity. Everything from the saxophone’s serial number to jazz acquaintance accounts back up the timeline and facts surrounding the story.

Some of the most convincing and revealing details crediting the saxophone to Parker come from the source of its recovery—the pawnshop. The only remaining pawnshop in Portland that existed in the 1950s appears to be a direct hit in linking the saxophone to Parker. The owner of the pawnshop was contacted and he distinctly remembers that on several occasions Parker pawned his alto saxophone with his company.

The complete, fascinating story is found in the PBS interview including Bill Hood’s daughter, Jenifer, at http://www-tc.pbs.org/opb/historydetectives/static/media/transcripts/2011-04-22/211_sax.pdf.

The saxophone will be available at Michaan’s Auctions in the Modern and Fine Furniture and Decorations Auction on June 8. Previews will be held from June 1 until the day of sale. For more information visit Michaan’s website at www.michaans.com or call 510-740-0220.

Michaan’s Auctions is located at 2751 Todd St., Alameda, CA 94501.


ADDITIONAL IMAGE OF NOTE


The E-flat alto saxophone, once owned by jazz great Charlie Parker, is a Buescher Aristocrat, made in Elkhart, Ind., in the 1930s. Image courtesy Michaan's Auctions.
The E-flat alto saxophone, once owned by jazz great Charlie Parker, is a Buescher Aristocrat, made in Elkhart, Ind., in the 1930s. Image courtesy Michaan’s Auctions.