Category Archives: Miles Davis

August 17: Miles Davis released Kind of Blue in 1959

kind-of-blue

“It must have been made in heaven.”
– Jimmy Cobb

August 17: Miles Davis released Kind of Blue in 1959

Kind of Blue is a studio album by American jazz musician Miles Davis, released August 17, 1959, on Columbia Records in the United States. Recording sessions for the album took place at Columbia’s 30th Street Studio in New York City on March 2 and April 22, 1959. The sessions featured Davis’s ensemble sextet, which consisted of pianist Bill Evans (Wynton Kelly on one track), drummer Jimmy Cobb, bassist Paul Chambers, and saxophonists John Coltrane and Julian “Cannonball” Adderley.

Though precise figures have been disputed, Kind of Blue has been described by many music writers not only as Davis’s best-selling album, but as the best-selling jazz record of all time. On October 7, 2008, it was certified quadruple platinum in sales by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It has been regarded by many critics as the greatest jazz album of all time and Davis’s masterpiece.

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The album’s influence on music, including jazz, rock, and classical music, has led music writers to acknowledge it as one of the most influential albums ever made. In 2002, it was one of fifty recordings chosen that year by the Library of Congress to be added to the National Recording Registry. In 2003, the album was ranked number 12 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.

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April 12: Herbie Hancock was born in 1940 – Happy 75th Birthday

Herbie Hancock

I don’t look at music from the standpoint of being a musician; I look at it from the standpoint of being a human being.
~Herbie Hancock

It’s not exclusive, but inclusive, which is the whole spirit of jazz.
~Herbie Hancock

Herbie Hancock is a true icon of modern music. Throughout his explorations, he has transcended limitations and genres while still maintaining his unique, unmistakable voice.
~allaboutjazz.com

April 12: Herbie Hancock was born in 1940 – Happy 75th birthday!

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March 20: Gil Evans passed away in 1988

Gil Evans

He does it all, and he does it in ways that surprise you and conform to the needs and the genius of the soloist.
~Gary Giddins, jazz writer

Evans, like most musical geniuses (a title bestowed by Miles [Davis]) shows a roving spirit and a probing desire to create new sounds, investigate new territories, and not be pigeon-holed into one space.
~R.J. Deluke (allaboutjazz.com)

Gil Evans Documentary 1997 Amerimage – 54min

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March 18: Miles Davis released “Round About Midnight” in 1957

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miles davis round about midnight

There’s little else to say except that ‘Round About Midnight is among the most essential of Davis’ Columbia recordings.
~Thom Jurek (allmusic.com)

An absolute classic of modern jazz, with brilliant solo work from the leader and from Coltrane, who was preparing for his own solo career at this point, plus subtle backing from the rhythm section. Tunes range from Monk’s famous title track to the ancient standard “Bye Bye Blackbird.”
~Wilson & Alroy’s Record Reviews

Stylistically, Midnight encompasses standards (or soon-to-be standards) such as “Dear Old Stockholm”, “Bye-Bye Blackbird”, Tadd Dameron’s “Tadd’s Delight”, and Jackie McLean’s forward-thinking composition “Little Melonae.” Miles and company reprise “Budo” from the historic Birth of the Cool sessions. The standout track is Davis’s Harmon-muted reading of Thelonious Monk’s ballad, “‘Round Midnight”, which is still a Miles standard bearer… If you want to hear the origins of post-bop modern jazz, this is it.
~Eugene Holley, Jr.

‘Round Midnight:

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Miles Davis: Around Midnight, live 1967 video

miles davis around midnight dvd

 

At its heart, jazz thrives on bold, sensitive interaction in the moment, and Live in Europe 1967 represents the pinnacle of that practice.
~Hank Shteamer (pitchfork.com)

This famous bootleg DVD was finally released as part of LIVE in Europe 1967: The Bootleg Series Vol. 1
in 2011.

Miles Davis second great quitet:

  • Bass – Ron Carter
  • Drums – Tony Williams
  • Piano – Herbie Hancock
  • Saxophone [Tenor] – Wayne Shorter
  • Trumpet – Miles Davis

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