Skip to Main Content
American Masters

How Charlie "YardBird" Parker got his nickname

The story of how Charlie Parker's nickname "Yardbird" came to be.

08/17/1989

American Masters

How Charlie "YardBird" Parker got his nickname

Preview: 8/17/1989 | 1m 51sVideo has Closed Captions

The story of how Charlie Parker's nickname "Yardbird" came to be.

Charlie Parker's nickname "Yardbird" came to be while he was on the way to a gig with some fellow musicians and involved a bird in a yard that had an unfortunate fate.

08/17/1989

Problems playing video?   | Closed Captioning Feedback

Report a Problem

Before you submit an error, please consult our Video Help page.

Problems playing video?   | Closed Captioning Feedback

Report a Problem

Before you submit an error, please consult our Video Help page.

Support for American Masters is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, AARP, Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Judith and Burton Resnick, Blanche and Hayward Cirker Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, Koo...

Support provided by:

AARP

This TV ad shows how bebop wasn't taken seriously

Video has Closed Captions

Clip: 8/17/1989 | 1m | Bebop changed American music but wasn't taken seriously for much of Charlie Parker's life. (1m)

The time Charlie Parker rode a horse down 52nd Street

Video has Closed Captions

Clip: 8/17/1989 | 56s | Charlie Parker's former partner Chan recalls the time he rode a horse down her street. (56s)

Providing Support for PBS.org

Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship

Support for PBS provided by:

Support for American Masters is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, AARP, Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Judith and Burton Resnick, Blanche and Hayward Cirker Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, Koo...

Sign in with Email

or

Continue with GoogleContinue with FacebookContinue with Apple

By creating an account, you acknowledge that PBS may share your information with our member stations and our respective service providers, and that you have read and understand the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Are you sure you want to remove null from My List?