Tempus Fugue-it
Encyclopedia
"Tempus Fugue-it" is a 1949 jazz composition by bebop
pianist Bud Powell
. It has been recorded by Powell, Miles Davis
and many others.
It is not actually a fugue, although it is a play on words, meaning "time flies" (see tempus fugit
). This is reflected in the speed at which it is played.
Bebop
Bebop differed drastically from the straightforward compositions of the swing era, and was instead characterized by fast tempos, asymmetrical phrasing, intricate melodies, and rhythm sections that expanded on their role as tempo-keepers...
pianist Bud Powell
Bud Powell
Earl Rudolph "Bud" Powell was an American Jazz pianist. Powell has been described as one of "the two most significant pianists of the style of modern jazz that came to be known as bop", the other being his friend and contemporary Thelonious Monk...
. It has been recorded by Powell, Miles Davis
Miles Davis
Miles Dewey Davis III was an American jazz musician, trumpeter, bandleader, and composer. Widely considered one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, Miles Davis was, with his musical groups, at the forefront of several major developments in jazz music, including bebop, cool jazz,...
and many others.
It is not actually a fugue, although it is a play on words, meaning "time flies" (see tempus fugit
Tempus fugit
Tempus fugit is a Latin expression meaning "time flees", more commonly translated as "time flies". It is frequently used as an inscription on clocks...
). This is reflected in the speed at which it is played.