Bop for Kerouac

Bop for Kerouac is a 1981 studio album by Mark Murphy.

Bop for Kerouac is the 18th recorded album by American jazz vocalist Mark Murphy. It was released by Muse in the United States in 1981 when Murphy was 49 years old. The release is a tribute to Beat writer Jack Kerouac and bebop. Murphy reads excerpts from two of Kerouac's works, The Subterraneans in "Parker's Mood" (track 3) and On the Road in "Ballad of the Sad Young Men" (track 8).

Mark Murphy recorded Bop for Kerouac in six hours on March 12, 1981, with producer and arranger Bill Mays and saxophonist Richie Cole. The album reflects Murphy's interest in the hip Beat Generation, Jack Kerouac, bebop, vocalese, mixing storytelling with music, ballads, and using the voice as a musical instrument for improvisation. Lyrical themes include isolation, loneliness, and bebop's masters. It includes quotes from Kerouac both on the album sleeve and in the tunes themselves. It was followed by a sequel, Kerouac Then and Now, released in 1989. Both albums were met with critical acclaim. Murphy was at his peak. As was typical with his Muse releases, he was paid a flat fee upfront and received no royalties.