One of the half dozen truly crucial figures in the history of Jazz, Parker was a saxophone player of genius. After performing as sideman in a series of swing bands (Jay MacShann, Earl Hines, Billy Eckstine), Parker embarked on a series of recordings with respected collaborators (Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Bud Powell) that without exaggeration, changed the direction of jazz forever. The most important of these key cuts are featured here, remastered to a level of clarity not heard before.