Alameda, CA (PRWE May 18, 2012

Charlie Parker is a name synonymous with jazz royalty. Parker was a
jazz saxophonist credited with helping to create and develop a music
style known as bebop. Bebop introduced fast tempos, virtuoso technique
and improvisation to jazz, changing the face of the music form forever.
Bebop became one of America’s most important and successful artistic
movements and Parker is regarded as one of its founding fathers.

A saxophone identified as belonging to Charlie Parker is being
offered as lot 1185 ($30,000-35,000). Well-known jazz musician Bill
Hood befriended and jammed with Parker amongst other music greats such
as Dizzy Gillespie, Sarah Vaughan and Marty Paich. Hood’s daughter,
Jenifer, was bestowed with the saxophone after his death. Her interest
in uncovering the truth of the connection of Parker to the saxophone
lead her to uncover the interesting series of events surrounding the
jazz great’s instrument.

The tale unfolds with a twist of fate with Hood and Parker at a
Portland jazz club. The pair were working together when Parker showed
up at the gig without his instrument. When Hood asked where it was
Parker replied that he had pawned it. Hood couldn’t believe Parker had
parted with his “right arm.” Parker replied that if it was so important
to him he was welcome to have it. He then handed Hood the pawn ticket
and the rest is history.

Jazz historian Bob Dietsche was featured on the PBS show “History
Dectectives” and was integral in verifying details in the saga of the
Parker saxophone, with all facts pointing to its validity. Everything
from the saxophone’s serial number to jazz acquaintance accounts backs
up the timeline and facts surrounding the story. Perhaps some of the
most convincing and revealing details crediting the saxophone to Parker
come from the source of its recovery; the pawn shop. The only remaining
pawn shop in Portland that existed in the 1950s appears to be a direct
hit in linking the saxophone to Parker. The owner of the pawn shop was
contacted and he distinctly remembers that on several occasions Parker
pawned his alto saxophone with his company. The complete, fascinating
story is found in the PBS interview including Bill Hood’s daughter,
Jenifer, at http://www-tc.pbs.org/opb/historydetectives/static/media/transcripts/2011-04-22/211_sax.pdf.

The saxophone will be available at Michaan’s Auctions in the Modern
and Fine Furniture and Decorations Auction held on June 8, 2012. The
illustrated auction catalog will be on-line for review at http://www.michaans.com.
Previews will be held from June 1st until the day of sale. For more
information please visit our website or call the front desk at (510)
740-0220. Michaan’s Auctions is located at 2751 Todd Street, Alameda,
CA 94501.

About Michaan’s Auctions

Michaan’s Auctions is a leading full service Bay Area auction house that specializes in antique appraisals and art auctions.
Michaan’s has the Bay Area’s leading fine art appraisal experts in the
fields of furniture and decorative arts, modern and contemporary art,
European and American paintings and prints, jewelry, Asian works of art
and ethnographic art.

Established in 2002, Michaan’s Auctions sell art and other estate
pieces at their thirty sales each year that attract a broad base of
buyers and consignors from all over the world. With one of the largest
facilities in Northern California, Michaan’s offers buyers and sellers
the opportunity to preview and bid on many unique and desirable
properties with the Bay Area’s lowest buyers premium.

Some of these Bay Area estate auction
pieces sold for world record prices. In 2005, A.D.M. Cooper’s oil
painting, Three Graces 1915, sold for a record $21,060, and an Eduard
Gaertner oil, German City Street Scene 1831, sold for $266,000.

Michaan’s has built its reputation on its ability to accept single
items, groups or entire estates with its “no risk consignment policy”
free of hidden fees and charges. Michaan’s specialists are dedicated to
staying current on the latest issues and developments in the market and
are committed to providing personalized and professional attention
throughout the entire auction process.