Whippet is an original composition by alto saxophonist Frank Morgan, conceived as a contrafact built on the chord changes of Sweet Georgia Brown. It was recorded on March 31, 1955, in Los Angeles for the album Gene Norman Presents Frank Morgan on GNP Crescendo. The tune is an uptempo bebop vehicle with a lively, propulsive melody designed for hard-driving improvisation and spirited solo exchanges among the ensemble. The original session featured a formidable West Coast septet including trumpeter Conte Candoli, tenor saxophonist Wardell Gray, guitarist Howard Roberts, pianist Carl Perkins, bassist Leroy Vinnegar, and drummer Larance Marable. Notably, this was among Wardell Gray's final recordings before his untimely death later that year. The arrangement showcases extended multi-chorus solos and sectional trading passages that highlight the group's collective energy. Whippet sits alongside Chooch (a contrafact on 'S Wonderful) as one of Morgan's original compositions from this debut album, demonstrating his facility for crafting fresh melodic ideas over well-known harmonic frameworks in the bebop tradition. The album was later reissued under several titles, including appearances in the 1998 West Coast Jazz Box set on Contemporary Records. Whippet remains a deep cut tied primarily to Morgan's early discography, with no documented cover versions by other artists.
