Charlie Parker Hated Kansas City & Now New Airport Will Honor Him With Hipster Art

Amongst Kansas City jazz hep cats there's an inside joke . . .

The reason that a small cadre of musicians honor Parker's grave every year is macabre but also kind of funny.

Rumor has it . . .

Amid the throws of heroin-induced pain . . . Parker had a moment of clarity and told his significant other . . . 

"If I die, please don't bury me in Kansas City."

His dying wish wasn't granted because heroin junkies aren't great about keeping promises. 

And so . . .

Part of the serenade to Parker is not only to acknowledge his greatness but also to provide comfort for the final resting place he rejected in life.

And all of that urban legend leads us to modern art sculpture at the airport . . . Check-it . . .

One of the art pieces is called "Ornithology," a bird made up of saxophones that pay tribute to Kansas City jazz legend Charlie "Bird" Parker.

"They’re going to have no other choice but to look at that connection and — Charlie Parker, Charlie "Bird" Parker and think of Kansas City and connect it with jazz," said Mike Corrigan, who manufactured the saxophones for art installment.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

KCI Airport's new terminal to feature Charlie "Bird" Parker-inspired artwork

We're months away from seeing the new terminal at the Kansas City International Airport. The new terminal will feature all kinds of artwork, including some inspired by famous Kansas Citians. One of the art pieces is called "Ornithology," a bird made up of saxophones that pay tribute to Kansas City jazz legend Charlie "Bird" Parker.