There are very few film clips of Charlie. Overall, there are 3, possibly more* clips which are rare and hardly ever reproduced in their entirety.
Posted here are three of the most famous pieces. The other known piece, which is short and soundless, is of Charlie signing autographs in Sweden. This will be posted when available. The links on this page lead to two clips, kindly donated to Bird Lives by alter-nativa, a French musician's collective.
*One rumour suggests that a movie produced and directed by Will Cowan for Universal Pictures has Charlie Parker playing with the Lionel Hampton's Band, but this has never been substantiated. Apparently there was also a film of Charlie in on TV in Montreal in 1952/3, but according to legend, it was destroyed in a fire during the 1960's.
September 1950
A previously unreleased film, recorded by Gjon Mili made for Norman Granz's Jazz at the Philharmonic Troupe. Until recently, this film was only rumoured to exist and only stills from it were ever seen.
This clip is probably mimed, as in several places the synchronisation is lacking. (Rich's drumming on Celebrity is obviously mimed and perhaps explains why Charlie is laughing). It has been suggested that the tracks they are miming to were recorded earlier in the day. This clip is probably not complete as other frames have been referred to, but as an historical record, it is priceless.
The tracks played are normally referred to as 'Ballarde', (based on 'I Got It Bad and That Ain't Good'), and 'Celebrity'. Both tracks have been available on general album releases for some time.
Despite the great respect Charlie had for Coleman Hawkins, there is obviously some form of competitiveness here. Just as Hawkins is coming to the end of his introduction, Charlie jumps in and cuts off the final few notes. For many musicians, this may have be seen as presumptiousness or even rudeness?
Charlie (as), Hawk (ts), Hank Jones (p), Ray Brown (b) and Buddy Rich (d)
This film can be found on a DVD entitled 'Norman Granz Improvisation'. Look here...
This short, soundless clip, usually played with a dubbed track, is believed to show Charlie actually playing one of the tunes he recorded for the session above. Judging by his facial expressions and other actions, it is probably Celebrity
February 1952 Charlie
and Dizzy at the Channel Five TV studios
Sunday 24 February 1952. Charlie and Dizzy appear on Channel 5, 'Stage Entrance', (dir: Bill Seasman), from New York to be presented with Down Best awards. For along time, this was thought to be the only known surviving film of Charlie playing live. (Vail)
Charlie (as), Dizzy (tp), Dick Hyman (p), Sandy Block (b) and Charlie Smith
(d)
The Bo Tak Film. Below are images taken from the silent film shot by Bo Tak in Sweden in November 1950. As yet, the film is not available on the site, but I will post it here as soon as I obtain a copy. (Thanks to Marcel Gärtner)
Please visit Bo Tak's website. He has a remarkable selection of jazz photographs and other images.
A selection of interesting YouTube films... This one is from 1994, at the Christie's auction of Chan memorabilia. Peter King playing the Grafton Charlie was supposed to have used at the Massey Hall concert 21 years earlier. Doubts have been raised as to the authenticity of this instrument's history, but both it and King sound wonderful.
Sheila Jordan talking about Charlie:
Phil Woods perfoming the orignal arrangements of 'Just Friends' from 'With Strings'
Doesn't really belong here, but Sarah Vaughn singing the rarely heard lyric to Charlie's favourite song 'Cherokee', is just too tempting to leave out!
Phil Schaap 'scatting' along with a Charlie recording with the Jay McShann Band. The song is 'I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles'??
[Note: Slower connections may have difficulty viewing the files]
September 1950 
