Fool's Fancy – Kenny Dorham & Bud Powell

A bebop classic, full of the intricate detail that defined Kenny Dorham's and Bud Powell's styles both as soloists and composers. It's a "rhythm changes" head, but the melody of the second A section is largely different from the first after a similar opening phrase. C is mostly the same as the second A, but with the pickup added from the first A. The lines in the A and C sections twist around in enclosures and passing tones; the bridge melody is a bit simpler, repeating a rhythmic riff that shifts down chromatically.

There is a six-measure intro, starting with a tutti pickup setting up a melody break; the last four measures have piano fills around the melody. On the recording the horns harmonize here but not in the head; these harmonies are included in all lead sheets. The first two hits have alto sax on the top notes with trumpet below; the trumpet has the lead elsewhere in the intro. The last note of the intro is harmonized with a 9th; alto saxophonist Sonny Stitt "subtones" a low D (written B) to really blend with the melody. To avoid too many ledger lines, this harmony note is written an octave above on the C treble clef and B♭ lead sheets, indicated "harmony 8vb"; it can certainly work if played in the upper octave instead, as it is still below the melody.