This is among Charlie Parker’s most melodic heads. It’s a fantastic tune to blow over, and it’s more accessible than many of Bird’s other tunes. He’s a story to illustrate what I mean: I have a friend who is a good blues guitarist. He does not particularly care for jazz, but he loves this song. It’s his favorite jazz song to play. I think that is a testament to how melodic the head is, especially for a bebop tune. Yardbird Suite is one of the most singable bebop heads, and the changes are great also. I love the quick ii-V in concert Eb (F-7 Bb7) right after the I chord in C. This same progression appears also in many other tunes (in various keys), such as Groovin’ High and Joy Spring.

Yardbird Suite Changes pdf
Yardbird Suite-C Instruments (.pdf)
Yardbird Suite-Bb Instruments (.pdf)
Yardbird Suite-Eb Instruments (.pdf)

Yardbird Suite Playalong

Recordings of Yardbird Suite by Charlie Parker, Herbie Mann, Kevin Mahogany,
Hampton Hawes, and Tal Farlow

Richie Cole-with one of my mentors, Bruce Forman on guitar!

Cyrus Chestnut, Solo Piano

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