Charlie Parker

Just Friends

AS RECORDED BY CHARLIE PARKER WITH STRINGS
ARRANGED BY JIMMY CARROLL, EDITED BY JEFFREY SULTANOF
Though Charlie Parker received quite a bit of criticism during his lifetime for making his 'with Strings' recordings, they are now universally recognized as masterpieces. Parker's idea was to bridge the gap between jazz and classical music. Much of his inspiration originated in the 'modern' composers of the first half of the 20th century including Stravinsky, Bartok, Schoenberg, and Ravel. Norman Granz was initially against making these recordings, but Parker's persistance won out. In 1949, Norman Granz arranged for Parker to record an album of ballads with a mixed group of jazz and chamber orchestra musicians. In addition to Parker on alto saxophone featured were Mitch Miller on oboe and English horn; Bronislav Gimpel, Max Hollander, and Milton Lamask on violin; Frank Brieff on viola; Frank Miller on cello; Meyer Rosen on harp; Stan Freeman on piano; Ray Brown on bass; Buddy Rich on drums; and Jimmy Carroll as arranger and conductor.
This great arrangement of Just Friends was Charlie Parker's best-selling single and his own personal favorite recording. We have used the original manuscript as a basis for this publication, though, we did transcribe Charlie Parker's part and the piano solo and they are presented here as-played. But, in a separate alto sax staff we indicated what was written for Parker so that your alto player has a choice in what to play. In addition, we have included alternate parts in the event that you don't have access to string players. The alternate parts are indicated below. We have marked this as difficult due to the demands of the alto part (assuming it is performed as Parker played it). But, other than that it is not a difficult arrangement. Chord changes have been supplied for the alto and the piano solos. This publication features some of the most important bebop playing and influential arranging of the 20th century.
NOTE: This is part of our CHARLIE PARKER WITH STRINGS series of arrangements.
Contents
Alto Saxophone [as played by Charlie Parker]
Oboe [Opt. - Cued on guitar]
Violin 1 [or Alto Sax 2]
Violin 2 [or Trumpet]
Violin 3 [or Tenor Sax 1]
Viola [or Baritone Sax]
Cello [or Trombone]
Harp [Optional]
Guitar
Piano
Bass
Drums