My first serious introduction to modern jazz was as a teenager when I bought the Miles Davis Quintet albums. These wonderful albums opened up a whole new world of beautiful and complex music. My mother was a classical pianist so I grew up with classical music, as well as Big Band, lounge crooners, and of course rock, blues, and folk, but jazz touched my soul like no other music. While in high school and college I built a large library of jazz albums and was asked to DJ at parties. Yet to this day, it is the early Miles Davis and John Coltrane recordings that are still some of my favorites.
The Miles Davis Quintet was his first quintet from 1955 to 1959, it is universally praised as one of the best jazz bands in music. It was an ‘all-stars’ hard bop and cool jazz group that made music history with some of the best jazz performances ever recorded. In 1956 the group recorded four amazing jazz albums which by all accounts are some of the best jazz recordings ever produced. The albums established Miles Davis and John Coltrane as among the top elites of jazz. They later recorded other albums, including Kind of Blue, the highest selling jazz album in history.
AllMusic wrote: “As these recordings demonstrate, there is an undeniable telepathic cohesion that allows this band to work so efficiently both on the stage and the studio. The immediate yet somewhat understated ability of each musician to react with ingenuity and precision is expressed in the consistency and singularity of each solo as it is maintained from one musician to the next without the slightest deviation.”
All About Jazz commented, “Contains some of the most alive and moving music Davis ever recorded.” The Music Box called the albums “essential,” stating that “precisely showcased the ensemble’s full range and potential, absolutely extraordinary communication amongst the musicians.” DownBeat praised all of the musicians and concluded: “These albums are a must for anyone seriously interested in jazz”.
Paul Chambers, Miles Davis, John Coltrane
The Musicians
Miles Davis
Miles Davis (1926-1991) trumpet, who attained international superstar status. Miles Davis is considered one of the most innovative, influential, and respected figures in the history of music. The Guardian described him as “a pioneer of 20th-century music, leading many of the key developments in the world of jazz.” He has been called “one of the great innovators in jazz.” Rolling Stone said, “Miles Davis played a crucial and inevitably controversial role in every major development in jazz since the mid-1940s, and no other jazz musician has had so profound an effect on pop and rock. Miles Davis was the most widely recognized jazz musician of his era, an outspoken social critic and an arbiter of style—in attitude and fashion—as well as music.”
William Ruhlmann of AllMusic wrote, “To examine his career is to examine the history of jazz from the mid-1940s to the early 1990s, since he was in the thick of almost every important innovation and stylistic development in the music during that period … It can even be argued that jazz stopped evolving when Davis wasn’t there to push it forward.” Francis Davis of The Atlantic noted that Davis’s career can be seen as “an ongoing critique of bebop: the origins of ‘cool’ jazz…, hard bop, or ‘funky’…, modal improvisation…, and jazz-rock fusion… can be traced to his efforts to tear bebop down to its essentials.”
John Coltrane
John Coltrane (1926-1967) tenor and soprano saxophone, bandleader, and composer, who attained a global superstar and cult status. He is among the most influential and acclaimed figures in the history of jazz and 20th-century music. Coltrane helped pioneer the use of modes and was one of the players at the forefront of hard bop and free jazz. He led at least fifty recording sessions and appeared on many albums by other musicians. He partnered with Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, Duke Ellington, Eric Dolphy, Johnny Hartman, Pharoah Sanders, and others. From 1955 to 1959 worked with the Miles Davis Quintet and Sexet. During 1957 Coltrane worked briefly with the Thelonious Monk Quartet. His 1960s classic quartet is legendary, with McCoy Tyner, Elvin Jones, and Jimmy Garrison, producing some of the best recordings in jazz history. Over the course of his career, Coltrane’s music took on an increasingly spiritual dimension.
Bill Evans, Paul Chambers, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Cannonball Adderly.
Red Garland (1923-1984) piano, a seasoned musician from the days of bebop in the 1940s. He played with Davis from 1955 to 1958. Later he teamed up with such greats as John Coltrane and Ron Carter, and played with numerous jazzmen.
Paul Chambers (1935-1969) double bass, was a highly praised bass player in great demand. He began with classical music training. He worked with Davis from 1955 to 1963 and then with Wynton Kelly from 1963 to 1968.
Philly Joe Jones (1923-1985) drums, played with all of the great bebop musicians. He worked with Davis from 1955 to 1961. He teamed up with several jazz leaders, such as Bill Evans, Hank Mobley, Chet Baker, Sonny Rollins, Dexter Gordon, and John Coltrane.
Cannonball Adderly (1928-1975) alto sax and band leader, hard bop, soul jazz, performed popular hits. Worked with Miles Davis, Art Blakey, Nancy Wilson, Ray Charles, and others.
Bill Evans (1929-1980) jazz pianist, composer, band leader, he studied classical music and composition. He composed many songs that have become jazz standards. Evans is credited with influencing jazz and classical composition and the harmonic language of jazz piano. He won 7 Grammys with 31 nominations. Evans gained recognition playing and composing music with Miles Davis on the Kind of Blue album which is the highest selling jazz album of all time. He worked with Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Cannonball Adderly, Tony Bennett, Stan Getz, Chet Baker Charles Mingus, Mark Murphy, and others.
Cookin’ Album
Downbeat wrote “An all-time great performance.” A Prestige Records 1957 release that was recorded in 1956. Personnel: Miles Davis trumpet, John Coltrane tenor sax, Paul Chambers bass, Red Garland piano, and Philly Joe Jones drums. Highly ranked: Allmusic 4.5/5, Rolling Stone 5/5, Penguin 4/4, Rolling Stone 5/5.
My Funny Valentine recording from the Cookin’ album
Composed by Richard Rogers and Lorenz Hart. Beautiful, tender ballad.
Other tracks
Blues By Five, composed by Miles Davis, hard bop.
Airegin, composed by Sonny Rollins, excellent hard bop.
Tune Up, composed by Miles Davis, hard bop, swinging, playful.
John Coltrane
Relaxin’ Album
Considered “the best of the hard bop genre.” A Prestige Records album released in 1958 and recorded in 1956. Personnel: Miles Davis trumpet, John Coltrane tenor sax, Paul Chambers bass, Red Garland piano, and Philly Joe Jones drums. Highly ranked: Allmusic 5/5, Rolling Stone 5/5, Penguin 4/4.
Oleo recording from the Relaxin album
A wonderful upbeat hard bop jazz standard composed by Sonny Rollins.
Other tracks:
If I Were a Bell, composed by Frank Loesser, cool jazz.
It Could Happen to You, composed by Jimmy Van Heusen, cool jazz ballad.
You’re My Everything, composed by Mort Dixon, Joe Young, and Harry Warren, ballad.
I Could Write a Book, composed by Richard Rogers and Lorenz Hart, upbeat.
Woody’n You, composed by Dizzy Gillespie, be-bop.
Workin’ album
Downbeat wrote “Some of the best quality in the history of jazz. I don’t see how anyone could do without this album.” A Prestige produced album recorded in 1956 and released in 1960. An excellent album with a mix of cool jazz and hard bop. Personnel: Miles Davis trumpet, John Coltrane tenor sax, Paul Chambers bass, Red Garland piano, and Philly Joe Jones drums. Highly ranked: Downbeat 5/5, Allmusic 5/5, Rolling Stone 5/5, Penguin 3.5/4.
Four recording from Workin’ album
My favorite song on the album is Four written by Davis which has become a jazz standard. It has a great lively and catchy melody and the solos by Davis, Coltrane, and Garland are excellent. The song has been played and sung by many other artists.
Other tracks include:
It Never Entered My Mind, composed by Richard Rogers and Lorenz Hart, nice tender ballad.
In Your Own Sweet Time composed by Dave Brubeck, cool jazz.
The Theme composed by Miles Davis, cool jazz short.
Trane’s Blues, composed John Coltrane, hard bop.
Ahmad’s Blues, composed by Ahmad Jamal, cool jazz.
Half Nelson, composed by Miles Davis, hard bop.
Miles Davis
Steamin’ album
Downbeat wrote that “This album is a must for anyone seriously interested in jazz.” Released album in 1961 of Prestige Records that was recorded in 1956. Personnel: Miles Davis trumpet, John Coltrane tenor sax, Paul Chambers bass, Red Garland piano, and Philly Joe Jones drums. Rated: Allmusic 5/5, Downbeat 4.5/5, Penquin 4/4, Rolling Stone 4/5.
Surrey With the Fringe on Top recording from the Steamin’ album
A classic, playful ballad composed by Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein II.
Other tracks
Salt Peanuts composed by Dizzy Gillespie and Kenny Clarke, be-bop.
Something I Dreamed Last Night composed by Sammy Fain, Jack Yellen, and Herb Magidson, cool jazz ballad.
Diane composed by Lew Pollack and Erno Rapee, light swinging ballad.
Well You Needn’t, composed by Thelonious Monk, classic hard bop.
When I Fall In Love composed by Victor Young and Edward Heyman, ballad.
MIles Davis, Cannonball Adderly, John Coltrane
Round About Midnight album
Miles Davis’ first recording with Columbia released in 1957 and recorded in 1956. A highly acclaimed mix of cool and hard-bop jazz. Music critics called it “the very best style, classic, exquisite artistry, an essential recording.” Personnel: Miles Davis trumpet, John Coltrane tenor sax, Cannonball Adderly alto sax, Paul Chambers bass, Red Garland piano, and Philly Joe Jones drums. Rating: Down Beat 5/5, Allmusic 5/5, Penguin 3/4, Rolling Stone 5/5.
All of You recording from Round About Midnight album
Popular standard ballad composed by Cole Porter from his musical Silk Stockings.
Other tracks:
Round Midnight, composed by Thelonious Monk, Cootie Williams, and Bernie Hanighen, a classic Monk ballad and a popular jazz standard.
Bye Bye Blackbird, composed by Mort Dixon and Ray Henderson, standard.
Dear Old Stockholm, composed by Stan Getz, hard bop
Ah-Leu-Cha composed by Charlie Parker, hard bop.
Tadd’s Delight, composed by Tadd Dameron, hard bop.
Miles Davis, Bill Evans
Milestones album
A straight up driving hard-bop and modal jazz album, classic, and iconic. Released by Columbia Records in 1958. Critics called it “the very best, shaped jazz history, great album of post-bop and modal jazz.” The group became a sextet with the addition of Cannonball Adderly. Personnel: Miles Davis trumpet, John Coltrane tenor sax, Cannonball Adderly alto sax, Paul Chambers bass, Red Garland piano, and Philly Joe Jones drums. Rating: Allmusic 5/5, Downbeat 4/5, Penquin 4/4.
Milestones recording from Milestones album
Composed by Miles Davis. Great solos by Davis, Coltrane, and Adderly on this hard-bop classic tune.
Other tracks
Dr. Jackie, composed by Jackie McLean, hard bop.
Sid’s Ahead, composed by Miles Davis, driving hard bop.
Two Bass Hit, composed by Dizzy Gillespie and John Lewis, hard bop.
Billy Boy, composed by Ahmad Jamal, hard bop, jazz standard.
Straight No Chaser, composed by Thelonious Monk, hard bop version of the Monk classic jazz standard.
Kind of Blue, John Coltrane, Cannonball Adderly, Miles Davis, Bill Evans
Kind of Blue album
Considered a masterpiece, called the best jazz album ever recorded. Five time Platinum sales, it is the highest selling jazz album of all time. Highly acclaimed with accolades by Grammy, Billboard, Downbeat, Rolling Stone, National Recording Registry, and others. Rating: Allmusic 5/5, Penguin 4/4, Rolling Stone 5/5.
The album was released in 1959 by Columbia Records. Bill Evans on piano was added to the group along with Miles Davis trumpet, John Coltrane tenor sax, Cannonball Adderly alto sax, Paul Chambers bass, and Johnnie Cobb on drums.
So What recording from Kind of Blue album
An excellent piece, wonderful ballad, classic Davis and Coltrane, a jazz standard. Composed by Miles Davis.
Other tracks:
Freddie Freeloader, composed by Miles Davis, cool jazz.
Blue In Green, composed by Miles Davis and Bill Evans, blues, cool jazz.
All Blues, composed by Miles Davis, cool jazz.
Flamenco Sketches, composed by Miles Davis and Bill Evans, cool ballad.
Sources
Allmusic
Album liner notes
Downbeat
Rolling Stone
Billboard
Youtube
Wikipedia
