6 little-known facts about Charlie Parker, the jazz icon from the 40s

After his rehearsals with the school band, 10-year-old Charlie would usually bring his instrument home to continue practicing. He could practice for as long as 15 hours a day, which was driving his neighbors crazy.

Parker spent most of his childhood in Kansas city, where African American culture, especially music, flourished.

If you want to test your knowledge of black history, take this trivia quiz.

At the age of 15 he left school to fully devote himself to music. Four years later, people in New York city already knew what Charlie Parker songs were like. His unique style immediately won over the hearts of many music lovers. It also helped him find friends to work together.

If you like Charlie Parker facts, these trivia facts about the Queen of Jazz will also surprise you.

Bebop, based on improvisation, extended solos and rhythmic unpredictability, wasn't entirely a revolution: it evolved from the legacy of several generations of jazz.

After his death, the words Bird Lives! began appearing on the walls of New York.

Charlie Parker, 1920-1955

For a long time, Charlie was suffering from mental health problems and heroin addiction. In 1954, his 3-year-old daughter died of illness, and Parker tried to commit suicide twice. In March 1955, Parker died of a heart attack.