Style:

Swing, taken at a variety of tempos.

Form:

A-A-B-A (32 Bars) [8-8-8-8]

Key:

Bb Major

Harmony/Overview:

The  harmony of this composition is based on the changes of the George  Gershwin standard "I Got Rhythm". The melody is a sophisticated bebop  line that features many of the hallmarks of Charlie Parker's pioneering  concept, with lots embellishments and syncopation throughout.

Recordings:

This  song has been recorded over 120 times to date and is one of the most  widely popular rhythm changes head in the repertoire. Dizzy Gillespie  was the first to record it in 1946 and Charlie Parker himself would  record the tune on multiple occasions throughout his career, with  several particular inspired live performances being caught on tape. Many  generations of musicians have recorded it since and it continues to be a  popular jam session number.

JGC Top Picks:

Elvin Jones, Dear John C., 1965

Tom Cohen, Diggin' In, Digging Out, 1999

Ari Hoenig, Inversations, 2006