Relaxin' At Camarillo, recorded February 26, 1947, takes its title from Parker's recent stay at Camarillo State Hospital and is one of the standout recordings from his post-recovery Dial sessions. Performed by Charlie Parker's New Stars at approximately 198-201 BPM, this medium-up blues in C features an especially deep roster of soloists: Parker takes two choruses of alto saxophone, Wardell Gray contributes two choruses on tenor saxophone, Barney Kessel plays two choruses of electric guitar, Howard McGhee takes one chorus on trumpet, and Dodo Marmarosa adds one chorus on piano. The larger ensemble and the parade of distinguished soloists give this track an all-star jam session quality. Parker's composition is a blues with a distinctive melodic hook that has made it a popular tune for jam sessions. Each soloist brings a different flavor, from Gray's cool-toned tenor to Kessel's fluid guitar work to McGhee's brassy bebop trumpet. The title's wry humor, turning a period of personal crisis into a swinging blues, is characteristic of Parker's ironic wit.
