It may seem a bit odd that this EP is titled Bebop Clarinet, since it opens with a slow and sweet rendition of the ballroom standard “Deep Purple.” But then he gets down to business, with a headlong romp through “Yesterdays” at a tempo that would have made Charlie Parker jump up and cheer. DeFranco is generally regarded as the first true bebop clarinetist, and is still the central figure in that very small category. Why there should have been so few clarinet players interested in bop remains a bit of a mystery – it may be because the high-speed/high-complexity nature of that style doesn’t do a good job of showcasing the instrument’s naturally mellow and lyrical sound. But man, DeFranco sure makes a strong case for it here.