Jay McShann discusses studio recording

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Jay McShann on playing with a big band

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Jay McShann on playing with Charlie Parker

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Q: “Was [Charlie Parker] ever any trouble to you? Because, he already had his personal habits…”

A: Jay McShann: “No, there wasn't ... No, not a traveling with everybody. Like you say, got their personal habits and things, you know what I mean. Habitats and so forth, and I’m just having to stand and there is Bird, "Don't you think you've got to take a little rest?" He says, "Why don't you cool down? Why don't you go in back to the yard and cool it. We'll see and we will be back there in about three weeks.”

Interviewer: “Get yourself out of that?”

Jay McShann: “And, Bird say “Yeah, OK.” And Bird go on back into the yard and then sometimes, "Where's Bird?" And they'll say, "Well, Bird is not with the band now." Then we'll get back in the yard, clear it, and come right on back with the band. That's the way we did it, you know what I mean. We never made no big thing out of it, you know, it's just ... and Raymond would take care of Bird quite a bit. He said, "Will you let me just take care of him? Just turn him over to me, yeah. Just turn over to me now.” It's now, you know. I said, "Okay, you got it."