Arkadia Jazz All-Stars - Thank You, Bird! - Our Tribute To Charlie Parker (2024)

The “Arkadia Jazz All-Stars” is a group established in 1996 as the brainchild of Bob Karcy, Producer, musician, Founder and CEO of Arkadia Records. Karcy’s original goal was to harness the creative brilliance of the Artists on its Arkadia Records labels, along with select guest musicians representing some of Jazz’s biggest stars, to create an unparalleled series of newly recorded, thematically unified studio albums. So far, ten albums have been recorded and three more are in production. The Arkadia Jazz All-Stars albums have been honored with three Grammy Award Nominations.

The Arkadia Jazz All-Stars, featuring a lineup of stellar artists, have come together to pay tribute to the legendary Charlie “Bird” Parker. Each musician was tasked with reinterpreting some of Parker’s most iconic compositions, infusing them with their own artistic flair.

The album includes standout tracks like “You’ve Proven Your Point (Bongo Bop),” a prime example of bebop brilliance, characterized by intricate rhythms and a captivating melody. This particular piece showcases the late Mark Murphy, a master of vocalese, whose performance bridges the gap between jazz and hip-hop with his rapid-fire vocal delivery. Murphy’s rendition highlights his exceptional ability to interpret the complex musicality of bebop, making it a highlight of this commemorative project.

Bob Karcy’s ultimate aim is that the Arkadia Jazz All-Stars, in addition to creating new, exciting and stellar music, would emerge as an artistically successful recording group on its own, and serve as a showcase for the Artists on Arkadia Records, allowing them to create awareness and recognition, and helping our Artists expand beyond their hard core fans.