Charlie Parker
Alto Sax Solo on
Cheryl

About

Charlie Parker opens the solo section on alto sax, stretching out for three choruses at approximately 186 BPM. Set within a swinging rhythmic framework, the 12-bar Blues form and the key of C, the solo navigates the chord changes with purpose. As the first voice heard after the head, Parker sets the improvisational tone before passing to Miles Davis. The generous allocation of solo space across four musicians makes this one of the more expansive performances from the session, allowing each member of the quintet to stretch out. Bird quotes his own Cool Blues riff at the beginning of the third chorus.

Charlie Parker was 26 to 27 years old at the time.