My Life in E-flat [Paperback]

Chan Parker (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English
Original Language: French

Product Details

• Paperback: 232 pages
• Publisher: University of South Carolina Press (January 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570032459
• ISBN-13: 978-1570032455
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #321,914 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful story of a life dedicated to beautiful music., February 23, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: My Life in E-flat (Paperback)

A story I have tried to locate and read for a number of years. Wonderfully written with love and respect. I feel so fortunate to have this book - it took so long to be released and I am now reading it for the second time. Chan gives the average fan a better understanding of the artist (Bird) who forever changed the music of our lives. Many details of her life and the exciting time of her youth are included. I almost felt like I was there myself - you can feel the music in the air. A huge thank you to the author - I am so grateful to have this piece of history and am even more passionate about the music of the great Charlie Parker. A must read for any jazz fan....

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars the belle of 52nd street, October 22, 2010

By 

arpard fazakas - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: My Life in E-flat (Paperback)

This is the autobiography of Chan Parker, the last wife (without benefit of law) of Charlie Parker, "the leviathan of modern jazz". Bird, as he was called, had no peer as a jazz improviser and creator with the exception of Louis Armstrong. He met Chan when she was a teenage free spirit haunting the basement nightclubs on 52nd Street, living in a nearby brownstone with her mother, who worked as a hatcheck lady at one of the clubs. She was hip and beautiful, and smitten by Bird. As he told her, "I'm not one of those boys you're used to". Thirty years later, while being interviewed for the PBS documentary American Masters, her eyes sparkle as she recalls that moment. And he wasn't! Of course, she didn't fully realize what she was in for. Bird was a hopeless drug addict and alcoholic, destined to die at 34 after his career was badly damaged by the New York City cabaret laws. Nobody could keep him under control, at least not for long. Nowadays we understand a lot more about the dynamics of this kind of relationship, and terms like "co-dependency" and "denial" are in common vogue. It was destined to fail, but not before creating some interesting moments.

There was more to Chan's life than her relationship with Bird, but most readers will be interested in this book for what it tells us about Bird, not Chan. In addition to chaotic scenes featuring a drunken husband, there are fascinating musical recollections, including the remarkable story of the recording session which produced the remake of Now's the Time along with two tunes named after Bird's children: Laird Baird and Kim. And then there is the odd personal recollection, such as "he was the only man I ever met who smoked in the shower".

The net impression for me is one of awe mingled with sadness, but if you're curious about what Bird was like, this book will tell you.

0 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I bought it twice., November 18, 2010

By 

William E. Clark - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: My Life in E-flat (Paperback)

I was intrigued by the samples available while I was shopping so I sprung for the whole book. I wanted a big enough order so I wouldn't have to pay shipping, so I added some cassette blanks to make the order over $25. Then I discovered that the casettes came from another supplier so they were no help with the shipping cost. So I looked around for another book and after finding one, I placed my order. Imagine my surprise when my package came with only one book. Then a few days later the whole order came. Of course I was charged shipping for the single book. I can give away my extra copy of Ms. Chan Parker's. It is an interesting read, especially for fans of her late first husband. But I really object to paying shipping. I sent an email to Amazon and got no response. I've been an excellent customer for a number of years, to the detriment of my local record stores. It would be nice if they gave me a credit for the bogus shipping charge.

Bill Clark