Charlie Parker
Alto Sax Solo on
Ko-Ko

About

Charlie Parker's alto saxophone solo is the first of two improvisations on this landmark recording, widely regarded as one of the single most important performances in the history of jazz. Taking two choruses of the 64-bar AABA form in B-flat at 302 BPM, Parker delivers an astonishing solo over the chord changes of Cherokee that redefined the possibilities of jazz improvisation. The velocity and harmonic precision of his playing at this extreme tempo set a standard that has remained the benchmark for virtuosic bebop alto saxophone playing.

Charlie Parker was 24 to 25 years old at the time.