Moose the Mooche is a bebop composition by Charlie Parker, written in 1946 shortly after Dizzy Gillespie left Parker's group in Los Angeles. It is built in 32-bar AABA form in B-flat, with chord changes based on those of "I Got Rhythm" and extensive ii-V-I turnarounds, and it is played at a fast tempo. The song is instrumental, with no lyrics.
The Charlie Parker Septet recorded it on 28 March 1946 in Los Angeles for Dial, where it was issued on 78 rpm as Dial 1003, paired with "Yardbird Suite". The septet included Miles Davis, Lucky Thompson, Dodo Marmarosa, Vic McMillan, Arvin Garrison and Roy Porter. The tune became a bebop standard and has been covered by Dizzy Gillespie, Bud Powell, Hank Jones, Joshua Redman, Phish, Stevie Wonder and many others.
