Bongo Bop, recorded October 28, 1947, is a medium-tempo blues in C by the Charlie Parker Quintet taken at approximately 159-162 BPM over a 12-bar form. Parker's two-chorus alto saxophone solo opens the improvisations, followed by Miles Davis for two choruses on trumpet, Duke Jordan for one chorus on piano, and Tommy Potter for one chorus on acoustic bass. The relaxed tempo gives each soloist room to develop ideas at a comfortable pace, and Parker's blues playing here is richly expressive, balancing sophisticated harmonic invention with deep blues feeling. This is one of the recordings from the October 1947 Savoy session that introduced the classic Parker quintet lineup with Duke Jordan, Tommy Potter, and Max Roach. The tune's catchy name notwithstanding, there is no bongo drum on the recording. Each soloist contributes a personal statement on the blues form, making Bongo Bop an excellent showcase for the individual voices within Parker's working band.
