Charlie Parker - Bird-Diz-Monk - Relaxin’ With Lee Plus Studio Dialog, 1950

Bird’s little ditty called “Relaxin’ With Lee” (based on “Stompin’ At The Savoy”) was only used for the last eight bars, closing out the song. Otherwise, the track was purely a vehicle for improvisation. Bird makes his statement in the original key of D Flat Major, and then the whole rhythm section is supposed to modulate up a half step to D Major for Dizzy’s solo. Before the take begins, Bird can be heard speaking clearly and directly to Monk, outlining this plan. At the end of Bird’s solo (I have included only the last eight bars) Dizzy and Curly Russell jump up to D Major. Monk doesn’t, and the take breaks down with Dizzy and Curley pounding on the note D. Bird reiterates to Monk, “You go to D right after the coda!” Monk says, “Oh, I didn’t hear you.”

Things go right on the next take (which I’ve included after the studio dialog) and yet this harmonic conceit is dropped from the following take, which was the one issued. Presumably, this was Bird’s decision, but why he would go to some lengths to rehearse it that way, only to toss it aside, is puzzling and ultimately unknowable. The same might be said of Bird himself.