Frank Morgan
Alto Sax Solo on
Bernie's Tune

About

Frank Morgan's two-chorus alto saxophone solo opens the improvisation on this driving rendition of Bernie Miller's bebop staple. At 238 BPM over the 32-bar AABA form in D minor, Morgan's fluid, Parker-influenced phrasing navigates the minor tonality with a bright, cutting tone. As the first of three solos, his rhythmically inventive lines set the hard-swinging standard for the soloists that follow. The brisk tempo highlights Morgan's comfort at speed and his ability to construct long, coherent melodic statements, qualities that made his 1955 debut album a notable document of the Los Angeles bebop scene.

Frank Morgan was 21 to 22 years old at the time.