Marmaduke, recorded September 18, 1948, is a Parker composition based on the chord changes of Honeysuckle Rose, performed by the Charlie Parker All Stars at approximately 193-195 BPM in F with a 32-bar AABA form. Parker's one-chorus alto saxophone solo is followed by a full chorus from Miles Davis on trumpet and a half-chorus from John Lewis on piano. Like Au-Leu-Cha from the same session, Marmaduke uses Honeysuckle Rose as its harmonic foundation, but the two compositions present markedly different melodic characters over the same changes. Parker's solo is a study in melodic elegance, threading through the familiar harmony with the ease of a musician who had internalized these changes so completely that they no longer posed any obstacle to pure expression. Davis's full-chorus solo displays growing command and individuality, while Lewis's half-chorus is a model of economy. Marmaduke captures the Parker All Stars at a moment of mature assurance, performing with the kind of relaxed authority that comes from deep mutual understanding.
