The global celebration of Charlie Parker’s centenary sparked numerous virtual events and jam sessions… writes Rosa Sawer.

It also marked the local premiere of Bird: Not Out Of Nowhere, a film by Kansas City PBS which delves into the first 21 years of Parker’s life, spent in Kansas City – where he grew up in the height of the Prohibition – and his lasting legacy on the jazz scene.

VIEW FULL DOCUMENTARY HERE

Directed and produced by Emmy Award-winner Brad Austin, the documentary follows the beginning of Parker’s musical journey from the Kansas City music scene to New York.

The documentary features rare archival footage of Parker, live performances from some of Kansas City’s most talented jazz musicians and interviews with author Chuck Haddix and musicians such as Kansas City jazz luminary Bobby Watson – whom we also interviewed about the centenary HERE