Bird Feathers, recorded October 28, 1947, is an up-tempo blues in B-flat by the Charlie Parker Quintet taken at approximately 219-229 BPM over a 12-bar form. The performance features an extensive sequence of solos: Parker opens with three choruses of alto saxophone, followed by Miles Davis for two choruses on trumpet, Duke Jordan for two choruses on piano, Tommy Potter for one chorus on acoustic bass, and Max Roach for one chorus on drums. The allocation of solo space to all five members of the quintet makes this one of the most democratic performances from the session, with each musician given room to make a statement. Parker's three-chorus opening is a sustained display of blues-inflected bebop at its most inventive, and the subsequent solos trace a progression through the different textures available within the quintet format. Roach's drum solo, in particular, demonstrates his pioneering approach to melodic drumming over form. Bird Feathers is a fine example of the Parker quintet as a balanced ensemble rather than merely a showcase for its leader.
