John Coltrane and Charlie Parker were two of the most influential and creative .
musicians that that jazz world has ever seen. Both of them left an incredible impact on the jazz world as a whole through their lifestyles and musical ability. Although they both died when they were fairly young, the revolutionary things that they did with jazz music while they were alive is simply incredible. Both Parker and Coltrane share common ground within their lives, musical playing and their influence on jazz music.
Charlie Parker or was born on August 29th, 1920 to Charles and Addie Parker. Parker's fondness of chicken led him to get the nickname "Bird", which would stay with him for the rest of his life. When Parker was 7 years old, his parents divorced and him and his mother moved to Kansas City, Missouri, which was a very important place for jazz music and African-American music in general. After the divorce, Parker rarely ever saw his father, and because of his mother's vigorous work schedule, he led an extremely lonely childhood.
At age seven, the same year that he moved to Kansas City, Parker began studying music. From age seven to about age twelve, he played baritone in school bands. But at age thirteen, Parker discovered the alto saxophone, and his life would never be the same again. Right from the start, Parker fell in love with the alto saxophone. For as young as he was when he started playing, Parker's commitment to the instrument resembled that of a professional musician, he practiced the instrument profusely on a daily basis. .
John Coltrane's upbringing was somewhat similar to Parker's. Growing up, John Coltrane was surrounded by music. This came mainly from his father who played several instruments, namely the E-flat horn and the clarinet. Coltrane practiced both these instruments often as a youth. When he was in high school, Coltrane discovered saxophonist Lester Young and like Parker, his whole life changed.
