Sir Charles Thompson - Takin' Off w/ Charlie Parker, Dexter Gordon...

Sir Charles Thompson
Takin' Off [Apollo Series]
Delmark 450 - CD 

The leader for these sessions, Charles Phillip Thompson, affectionately christened “Sir Charles” by Lester Young, learned violin before switching to piano. Born in Springfield, Ohio, in 1918, he began to play professionally at the age of 17. He worked with many small bands on 52nd Street, including Lee Young and Lester Young’s band at Cafe Society. Later, he would work with Charlie Barnet, tour Europe, and record for Vanguard, Columbia, and Mercury. He is still playing and touring and recently returned from a stay in Japan. Sir Charles is also a fairly prolific composer, having written the majority of tunes for these sessions.
Recorded 1945 & 1947. Featuring Charlie Parker, Dexter Gordon, and Leo Parker.

Born in a record store near the Apollo Theatre building in 1944, Apollo Records presented virtually every kind of popular and ethnic music. By 1962, it had ceased recording but continued merchandising its gospel music, primarily the Mahalia Jackson catalog. Delmark has acquired the rights and surviving source material of the long out of print blues and jazz masters, and is presenting them in this Apollo Series, including numerous unissued performances and alternate takes.

     Tracks are;
Takin' Off
If I Had You
20th Century Blues
Street Beat
Tunis in
Strange Hours
Rhythm Itch
Mad Lad
Benson Alley
Sir Charles' Boogie
Harlem Jump
Mr. Big Horn
Benson Alley (Alternate)
Strange Hours (Alternate)
Rhythm Itch (Alternate)
Harlem Jump (Alternate)
Mad Lad (Alternate)