Unheard Bird – The Unissued Takes is a collection of 58 previously unknown studio recordings by saxophonist Charlie Parker. The album was released via Verve/UMe on the 1st of July.
The album’s tracklist comprises alternate takes from sessions organized by jazz impresario Norman Granz for the Mercury and Clef record labels, which would later be incorporated into his Verve label. The recordings were discovered among a large quantity of material owned by one of Granz’s associates.
Unheard Bird features cuts from a number of landmark recordings dates, a Latin session with Latin jazz artist Machito and a Cole Porter project with big band. In addition, the album features Parker performing with such celebrated musicians as trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, pianist Thelonious Monk, drummer Buddy Rich and bassist Curley Russell.