Bebop, recorded July 29, 1946, is a high-energy performance of Dizzy Gillespie's composition by the Charlie Parker Quintet, taken at a very fast tempo of approximately 316 BPM in the key of F minor with a 32-bar AABA form. Parker delivers a one-chorus alto saxophone solo that cuts through the demanding tempo with characteristic precision, followed by Jimmy Bunn's one-chorus piano solo and Howard McGhee's expansive two-chorus trumpet solo. The F minor tonality gives the tune a darker, more intense quality than the major-key rhythm changes vehicles that dominate the bebop repertoire. This recording comes from the same troubled July 1946 session that produced the controversial Lover Man, yet Parker's playing here shows no obvious signs of compromise, demonstrating the extraordinary level of his musicianship even under difficult circumstances. McGhee's extended trumpet solo is a highlight, showcasing his considerable command of the bebop language. The tune itself, with its minor-key urgency, stands as one of the era's more distinctive vehicles for improvisation.
