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Wardell Gray's tenor sax solo is the 4th of 5 on this recording, spanning half a chorus at approximately 232 BPM. Set within a swinging rhythmic framework, the 32-bar AABA form and the key of E♭, the solo navigates the chord changes with purpose. As a contrafact on "'S Wonderful," the underlying harmony is well-trodden territory, giving the soloist a sturdy platform for creative exploration. Positioned between Dodo Marmarosa and Barney Kessel, Gray bridges the conversation between the two. This large-ensemble Dial session recording is a testament to the depth of talent assembled for Parker's West Coast dates. Wardell solos over the first half of a chorus.
Wardell Gray was 25 to 26 years old at the time.
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