In 1947 Parker went into a recording session, joined by Miles Davis on trumpet, Bud Powell on piano, Tommy Potter on bass, and Max Roach on drums. Among the sides they cut was “Donna Lee”, with Parker credited as composer. The tune was named after bassist Curley Russell's little daughter, Russell, and Parker had come quite close during that period.
Gil Evans, identified drummer Norman "Tiny" Khan as the true composer. According to Evans Khan taught the melody to Davis who then taught it to Parker. This, at Kahn's level and performance, was quite impossible - unless it was just a few notes he might have put in a row (trying to imitate Parker's style) not a complete, developed melody.
Parker recorded at least 4 takes of the composition as its composer (under his sole guidance and instructions, not Davis') in the studio and at least one live, at Carnegie Hall in New York City, on December 24-25, 1949. Apart from the fact that the composition bears Parker's aesthetic and technical signature, Davis has never recorded this composition or been involved with it again. He declared that it belonged to him many years later when Charlie Parker was dead. On other occasions too, Davis took credit for other people’s compositions, for example, "Blue In Green" which was originally written by pianist Bill Evans. Also, Davis recorded and played live with Russell during the whole next year (1948) and strangely enough the tune was not even once rehearsed or played during all these sessions.
Gil Evans, identified drummer Norman "Tiny" Khan as the true composer. According to Evans Khan taught the melody to Davis who then taught it to Parker. This, at Kahn's level and performance, was quite impossible - unless it was just a few notes he might have put in a row (trying to imitate Parker's style) not a complete, developed melody.
Parker recorded at least 4 takes of the composition as its composer (under his sole guidance and instructions, not Davis') in the studio and at least one live, at Carnegie Hall in New York City, on December 24-25, 1949. Apart from the fact that the composition bears Parker's aesthetic and technical signature, Davis has never recorded this composition or been involved with it again. He declared that it belonged to him many years later when Charlie Parker was dead. On other occasions too, Davis took credit for other people’s compositions, for example, "Blue In Green" which was originally written by pianist Bill Evans. Also, Davis recorded and played live with Russell during the whole next year (1948) and strangely enough the tune was not even once rehearsed or played during all these sessions.
Yannis Livadas