Bird Lives aka Charlie Parker Memorial

Location: The Paseo and E 17th Terrace, Kansas City, MO

Owner: KCMO Parks & Rec

Artist: Robert Graham

Dedicated: March 1999

Medium: Bronze

Description:

A large bronze depiction of Charlie Parker's face with his eyes cast downward. The face has a green patina. It sits atop a bronze trapezoidal base with a brown patina. The face was not cast as a whole but rather in pieces that were later assembled together. This is what gives the face its grid-like appearance.

This sculpture memorializes legendary jazz artist Charlie "Bird" Parker. He was a major part of the Kansas City jazz scene and culture. It is located in the middle of a plaza, also named after Parker, in the historic Jazz District and just west of the American Jazz Museum at 18th and Vine Streets.

Charlie Parker 002

Charlie Parker 003

Charlie Parker 004

Charlie Parker 006

Charlie Parker 007

Charlie Parker 008

Charlie Parker 009

Charlie Parker 010