1940s: Yardbird to FreebirdWalking Distance
July 27, 2017
Sharing their passion for bebop and the music of master saxophonist Charlie “Yardbird” Parker, the ever-dynamic and vanguard jazz quartet Walking Distance present this Catskill Jazz Factory debut of their upcoming sophomore release, Freebird.
By stretching, flipping, reversing, and reorganizing Parker’s compositions, the top young players of Walking Distance (tenor sax, alto sax, double bass, and drums) have created uniquely original pieces that retain the essential spirit and energy of Parker’s masterpieces, infused with contemporary flair. Pianist Orrin Evans, a hard-charging force in the jazz world and bandleader of more than 25 albums, joins this reflection on Parker’s towering legacy. As Miles Davis once said, "You can tell the history of jazz in four words: Louis Armstrong. Charlie Parker.
“Count the young, open-spirited band Walking Distance as an impressive contender in a new crop of ensembles representing the contemporary acoustic jazz aesthetic … a creative firebrand of a band worth hearing and following.” (DownBeat Magazine)
View the Jazz Through the Looking Glass series here.