Ornithology (composition)

"Ornithology"
Single by The Charlie Parker Septet
B-side	"Night in Tunisia"
Recorded	March 28, 1946, Radio Recorders Studios, Hollywood
Genre	Bebop
Length	3:03
Label	Dial 1002
Writer(s)	Charlie Parker Benny Harris

"Ornithology" is a jazz standard by bebop alto saxophonist Charlie Parker and trumpeter Benny Harris.

Its title is a reference to Parker's nickname, "Bird". The Charlie Parker Septet made the first recording of the tune on March 28, 1946 on the Dial label, and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1989.^[1]

"Ornithology" is a contrafact - that is, a newly created melody written over the chord progression of another song, in this case the standard "How High the Moon". It remains one of the most popular and frequently performed bebop tunes. Jazz vocalists scatting on "How High the Moon" (notably Ella Fitzgerald) often quote the melody of "Ornithology" (and vice versa).

Notable recordings include Bud Powell's version. Vocalese "lyrics" were also created by Babs Gonzales.

Footnotes

1. ^ Grammy Hall of Fame

See also

• List of jazz contrafacts