Z2 Comics will release Chasin’ the Bird: Charlie Parker in California, a graphic novel telling the story of the two years Parker spent in Los Angeles beginning in December 1945.  The graphic novel, by jazz musician/comic creator Dave Chisholm with colors by DreamWorks Animation Director Peter Markowski, will be packaged with a flexi-disc record featuring an unreleased song from Parker’s time in Los Angeles, all at $29.99.

Parker went to Los Angeles with Dizzy Gillespie for a two-month residency at Billy Berg’s Hollywood jazz club but ended up staying for two years, a time in which he showed up at jam sessions, caused havoc in public places, and recorded some of his most groundbreaking tracks, including A Night in Tunisia, Ornithology, and Relaxin’ at Camarillo, inspired by his time at Camarillo State Hospital.

Z2 will also release a deluxe edition with a limited edition hardcover, three exclusive Charlie Parker art prints, a limited edition vinyl 45 with two unreleased Charlie Parker recordings (tracks to be announced ahead of release), in a slipcase.  The edition of 1200 is priced at $99.99.

The graphic novel and a Verve/UMe album also celebrating Bird’s time in Los Angeles will both be released in September.  The graphic novel and album are two of many initiatives celebrating Bird 100, the 100th anniversary of Parker’s birth, which will also include new music releases, a tribute tour, festivals, and events, exhibitions, partnerships, exclusive collectible art, and a myriad of independent appreciations and concerts.

"Charlie Parker is one of the most well-known figures in jazz, and to publish a chapter of his tragically short life story in comics is an honor," Z2 publisher Josh Frankel said in a statement released with the announcement.  "Jazz has always been a perfect complement to comic books, and certainly an inspiration to some of our greats as well."