needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (January 2010) Charlie Parker Background information Birth name Charles Parker, Jr. Also known as Bird, Yardbird, Zoizeau (in France) Born August 29, 1920(1920-08-29) Kansas City, Kansas, U.S. Died March 12, 1955(1955-03-12) (aged 34) New York City, New York, U.S. Genres Jazz, bebop Occupations Saxophonist, composer Instruments Alto saxophone, tenor saxophone Years active 1937–1955 Labels Savoy, Dial, Verve Website Official Site Notable instruments Buescher, Conn, King and Grafton alto saxophones. Charles Parker, Jr. (August 29, 1920 – March 12, 1955), famously called Bird or Yardbird, was an American jazz saxophonist and composer..