"Charlie Parker" by Ron Frankl is a seasonably detailed biography of the life, musicianship, and personality of Charlie Parker or
Yardbird. Although it is a traditional chronological biography, it is able to cover a lot in its short 11 chapters. This level of detail might be intimidating to some earlier readers but engaging to others. The book maturely never shies away from discussing his almost two decade struggle with drugs or his romantic life. It also discusses music in a fashion that is inviting to "non-musicians", but still covers important musical factors like various forms, Parker's unwillingness to simplify his music for the sake of reaching a broader audience, a wealth of names Parker interacted with from tiny grimes to Dizzie Gillespie and back to Art Tatum. A detail-heavy but engaging read for any young reader independently interested in this Jazz Giant.
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