The “jazziest” auction around
By: Nicole Gately

Desperate to win a priceless piece of jazz history? How about one of Charlie Parker’s saxophones? Perhaps a trumpet that belonged to Dizzy Gillespie? Maybe even an evening gown worn by “The First Lady of Song” Ella Fitzgerald? All these relics and more can be yours… if you bid high enough. New York’s Guernsey Auction House is putting 450-odd pieces of jazz memorabilia on the auction block Sunday, February 20 at the Time Warner Center in New York City, in Frederick P. Rose Hall, home to Jazz at Lincoln Center.

Among the awe-inspiring items making their way to the auction block are one of Ella Fitzgerald’s evening gowns, personal recordings Charlie “Yardbird” Parker’s immortal music (courtesy of his wife Chan) and Parker’s King Super 20 alto saxophone. The breathtaking sax was made especially for Parker by the King company in 1947 and was his main horn all through the 1950s. This amazing instrument boasts authentic mother-of-pearl keys and Parker’s engraved name on the brass body. Additionally, the case bears a Charlie Parker nameplate. One of Parker’s plastic horns sold at a 1995 Sotherby’s auction for $140,000; this alto sax is expected to bring near $1 million on Sunday.

Jazz fans around the world have been feverishly awaiting this auction for months. Many of the items have been donated from the jazz legend’s families. Several of the families will donate proceeds from the auction(s) to foundations that promote jazz, such as the John Coletrain Foundation, or other worthy causes like the Red Cross. Others will use the money to build scholarship funds for young musicians.

There will be two public preview days at the Fredrick P. Rose Hall on February 18 and 19 from 10:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. The auction will be held on February 20 in two sessions. Session one will be at 1:00 p.m. and session two will be at 6:00 p.m. Bids will be accepted in person, on the phone or through the online auction site EBay. Guernsey’s is also offering a catalogue featuring all the items up for bid alongside historic jazz photos for $36 available for purchase on their Web site.

Find out more about the auction here on the Guernsey’s site.

Bid through EBay here .