Charlie Parker: Ko Ko
Track
Ko Ko (aka Ko-Ko, aka KoKo)
Artist
Charlie Parker (alto sax)
CD
Best of the Complete Savoy & Dial Studio Recordings (Savoy SVY 17120)
Musicians:
Charlie Parker (alto sax), Dizzy Gillespie (trumpet, piano), Max Roach (drums),
Curly Russell, bass
.Composed by Charlie Parker
.Recorded: New York, November 26, 1945
Rating: 96/100 (learn more)
Built on the chord changes to "Cherokee," "Ko Ko" was recorded during Parker’s first date as a leader and first session for Savoy Records. This track demonstrates just how difficult this new music was to play. Miles Davis and pianist Andre Thornton (Sadik Hakim) were supposed to play on the tune but were hamstrung by the song’s complexities. So Dizzy Gillespie played trumpet on the theme and then switched to piano behind Bird’s solos. Here, Parker no longer is working inside the system but inventing a new language. "Ko Ko" was a ferocious salvo fired across swing’s bow.
Reviewer: Marc Myers
Other reviews for this track:
- Charlie Parker (with Dizzy Gillespie): Ko Ko by Alan Kurtz (100/100)
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Tags: 1940s jazz · bebop · ko ko
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