turnaround
A short chord progression at the end of a section that leads back to the beginning.
In Depth
Turnarounds are essential in blues, jazz, and gospel. The classic blues turnaround uses the V chord in the final bar to pull the ear back to the I chord at the top. Jazz turnarounds often use the I-VI-II-V progression. Turnarounds can be simple or elaborately reharmonised, and great jazz musicians are known for their inventive turnaround substitutions. The turnaround transforms a static ending into a launching pad.
Charlie Parker's turnarounds were so harmonically advanced that other musicians would crowd the stage just to watch his fingers and learn the substitutions.