I read an interesting article in the Wall Street Journal (Hidden in Plain Hearing) about the beginnings of cool jazz and what is often referred to as the ‘Birth of the Cool.’ And when you mention the phrase ‘Birth of the Cool’ you quickly think of Miles Davis, the classic nonet and the legendary recording … Continue reading »
A bit of a reach on the day before Christmas you say? Possibly. But Alex Haley’s ‘candid conversation with the jazz world’s premier iconoclast‘ in 1962 was the first Playboy Interview (Volume 9, Number 9) and the conversation is both candid and enlightening – which you’d expect from Miles Davis anyway. There are also some … Continue reading »
In April of 1961 the Miles Davis Quintet played two nights at the Blackhawk, a legendary jazz club in San Francisco. The Friday and Saturday night shows were captured on two separate recordings (now available as a complete set w/ an unreleased fourth set). I love this collection. The quintet (together only briefly) features Paul … Continue reading »
* Filming the ‘Second Great Quintet’ ** Filming ‘Bitches Brew’ (clip is from A Masterpiece by Midnight, the 10th episode of Ken Burns’ Jazz series.) Continue reading »
It’s not just one of the greatest jazz albums of all time, but one of the best albums… period! It’s the one album most non-jazz fans know about, or even own. I like to think there’s a part in the minds of music fans who don’t care much for jazz music who feel they should … Continue reading »
“But it was at the Three Deuces, playing every night there with Bird and Max, that really helped me find my own voice.” – Miles Davis (excerpt from Miles: The Autobiography) In 1944 Miles Davis moved to New York to study in the Julliard School of Music. His tenure would only last a few months. … Continue reading »
It’s debatable if this performance in 1958 at the Newport Jazz Festival is necessary for the Miles Davis biopic. The new sextet, with recent additions Jimmy Cobb and Bill Evans, were part of a festival tribute to Duke Ellington, but perhaps more importantly this was the collaboration that would record “Kind of Blue” six months … Continue reading »
I was still a ways off from making my appearance on the planet, but I can only imagine how exciting it must have been in ’64 to watch Miles Davis and Co. perform on “The Steve Allen Show.” I could be lost in a haze of nostalgia for a bygone era, (I’ve been watching a … Continue reading »
On Sunday we marked the 17th anniversary of Miles Davis’ passing — ‘Miles Davis, Trumpeter, Dies; Jazz Genius, 65, Defined Cool’ (a well-written nytimes obit). It got me wondering if a movie about Miles Davis would explore the days in September of ’91 leading up to his passing at St. John’s Hospital and Health Center … Continue reading »
‘Electric’ Miles is not my favorite chapter in the legend’s musical history, but I’m no less impressed and entertained by the supremely talented musicians associated with some pretty revolutionary recordings – namely Bitches Brew. I’m torn on how much, if any, movie time in the Miles Davis film is going to be devoted to the … Continue reading »
I’m fascinated by debate, specifically the type of competitive debate you see on high school and college campuses and in big state and national tournaments. I’ve seen HBO’s documentary “Resolved” about 100 times now, and I always get so jazzed watching the debaters in action. I’d like to see an advanced debate played about over … Continue reading »
It is not just one of the greatest jazz albums of all time, but one of the best albums… period! By some accounts it’s the best-selling jazz record of all time. It’s the one album most non-jazz fans know about, or even own. I like to think there’s a part in the minds of music … Continue reading »
1959 was quite a year for Miles Davis. In March he recorded “Kind of Blue” on Columbia Records. On August 25, while taking a break outside the legendary Birdland nightclub in New York City, Davis was beaten by the police and arrested. And to think he had just performed for an Armed Forces Radio broadcast … Continue reading »
The year is 1955 and Miles Davis puts together the first version of the Miles Davis Quintet. The First Great Quintet as they are celebrated in the annals of jazz history. It doesn’t get much better than John Coltrane (tenor saxophone), Red Garland (piano), Paul Chambers (double bass) and Philly Joe Jones (drums). The first … Continue reading »
“If Betty were singing today she be something like Madonna, something like Prince, only as a woman. She was the beginning of all that when she was singing as Betty Davis.” ~ Miles Davis, Miles: The Autobiography I’m wondering if Betty (Mabry) Davis will make an appearance in the Miles Davis biopic… Let the casting … Continue reading »
