A Night in Tunisia
Context
Gillespie wrote this theme in 1942, first titled "Interlude." Its ostinato bass line, far from a walking bass, and its half-step chord changes make it an emblem of bebop. It became a standard covered by Charlie Parker, Sarah Vaughan, Art Blakey or Sonny Rollins; this 1946 RCA Victor recording has been in the Grammy Hall of Fame since 2004.
In the genealogy of jazz
This track belongs to Bebop (Minton's, Monroe's), Latin jazz, Afro-Cuban. Among the origins and influences of Bebop: Kansas City, Swing, big bands.