Charlie Parker
Tenor Sax Solo on
Sippin' at Bells

About

Charlie Parker opens the solo section on tenor sax, stretching out for two choruses at approximately 211 BPM. Set within a swinging rhythmic framework, the 12-bar Blues form and the key of F, 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. As with the other tracks from this session, Parker's appearance on tenor rather than alto saxophone gives the performance a distinctive sonic character. The medium-up tempo provides an energetic canvas for improvisation.

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