A rare handbill advertising a May 1954 show by “Bird” Charlie Parker and His All Stars at New York’s Open Door, in Greenwich Village, just a year before the jazz legend’s tragic death.

This was part of the legendary jazz collection of Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts (1941-2022); and sold at auction in 2023 by Christie’s, London.

The book Yardbird Suite notes ‘The Open Door [Sunday] sessions were frequented by many of Parker’s former sidemen, such as Bud Powell, Al Haig and Max Roach…the sessions were often fun battles of the Kansas City type, and Ira Gitler remembers a ‘musical goosing session’ between Brew Moore and Bird in which they ‘played at each others behinds and finished up playing to an old piece of chewing gum stuck on the floor.’  The probable lineup for this date includes Brew Moore, tenor, Walter Bishop Jr., piano, Teddy Kotick, bass and Art Mardigan, drums.

This was sold as part of Lot 528 in the Christie’s auction Charlie Watts: Gentleman, Collector, Rolling Stone. In 1960, then graphic designer Watts wrote and illustrated a book in tribute to his hero Charlie Parker, Ode to a High Flying Bird.

An exceptional Charlie Parker collectible, with superb provenance.  With Recordmecca’s written lifetime guarantee, and a copy of the Christie’s lot label.

5 3/8″ x 8 1/2″, on thin paper stock.  In near mint condition, with the tiny pencil notation “’54″in the lower right corner.