Django Bates pays tribute to hero Parker live tonight!
Kevin Whitlock
Wednesday, October 28, 2020
Follow the link to watch acclaimed pianist lead his group Belovèd and the hr-Bigband in a centenary celebration of Bird, live from the Frankfurt Alte Oper
Tonight Jazzwise 256 cover star Django Bates will be livestreaming a live concert from Frankfurt’s prestigious Alte Oper, as a tribute to his great hero Charlie Parker in the latter’s centenary year.
Bates, who is acting as musical director and pianist for the event, will be accompanied by his group Belovèd (Petter Eldh on bass and drummer Peter Bruun) as well as the Frankfurt-based hr-Bigband orchestra. Bates, Eldh and Bruun caused something of a sensation last time they visited the Alte Oper in 2016, when they performed music by The Beatles.
"Charlie Parker was a hero of my childhood," says Bates. "While my school friends arranged little quasi-altars for athletes like goalkeeping legend Gordon Banks in their rooms, I had a plasticine figure of Charlie Parker that I made myself."
Because of Covid-19 social distancing measures, only a small audience will be in attendance and the concert will be played in two hour-long sets in front of new audiences. You can watch the entire concert below: