Night in Tunisia by Charlie Parker

[DailyTunes]

Genre: Jazz
Song Link: Night in Tunisia by Charlie Parker (http://www.dailytunes.com/song.php?songid=20031027135928)

Posted on DailyTunes.com (http://www.dailytunes.com)

[dewysquare]

This tune was actually written by Dizzy Gillespie, but Charlie Parker is often associated with it because there is a notable outtake recording that contains "The Famous Alto Break." I believe that take is available on "Charlie Parker: The Complete Dial Sessions".

Quoting: http://www.billyrhythm.com/archive_blogger/2001_01_01_archive.html

<i>The story goes, when Charlie Parker first recorded "A Night In Tunisia," he took such a hella break from the bridge to the solo section, he completely lost the band. They couldn't get back in, and the track lasted like 45 seconds. The next time around, they made Miles Davis stand in the corner, plug his ears, and count the band back in! Imagine blowing a polyrhythm so extreme that you make Miles losse his place! </i>

[Iconocat]

That's one of the best pieces of info I've heard in a long time! Thanks for contributing that story.. I had never heard that one before. Really made my day. :)

[dewysquare]

You're welcome.

There is also a nice version of Night in Tunisia on Art Blakey's A Night at Birdland, Vol. 1. It's a live album (the MC's intro on track 1 was sampled in US3's acid-jazz hit) and in Blakey's intro to Night in Tunisa he claims to have been present at a club where "Diz" (Gillespie) composed Night in Tunisa on the bottom of a garbage can out back. Might be a tall tale, but could be true...

This is a great bop album including Clifford Brown, Lou Donaldson (alto) and Horace Silver.

Brian