Charlie "Bird" or "Yardbird" Parker (1920-1955) Inducted - Wednesday, May 4, 1994 Sculptor: William J. Williams Where is Charlie "Bird" or "Yardbird" Parker in the Hall of Famous Missourians? Charlie Parker was a gifted saxophonist and composer who advanced the art of improvisation and rhythm and founded the bebop jazz movement. He moved to Kansas City, Missouri, at the age of eight. Greatly influenced by the Kansas City jazz scene, Parker eventually began to play with a variety of local jazz and blues groups and finally moved to New York where his musical reputation grew. Two of his most famous musical compositions are "Yardbird Suite" and "Now's the Time." Parker’s last public appearance was March 5, 1955, only seven days before his death, at the New York nightclub, Birdland, which was named in his honor.