If I were to make an attempt at describing Miles Davis’s sound, it would probably take me ages to even think of the right words. So we’re probably better off with Miles’s description of his own sound:
“I prefer a round sound with no attitude in it, like a round voice with not too much tremolo and not too much Baseline bass. Just right in the middle. If I can’t get that sound I can’t play anything.”
Davis’s career stretched out about fifty years, from his bebop years in New York (he attended Julliard for about a year until he dropped out because it had too much emphasis on “white” music) to electric/fusion jazz later in his life. With great musicians like Charlie Parker, Bill Evans, and John Coltrane, Davis produced some of the greatest albums in the history of jazz, including Kind of Blue, which is still the best-selling jazz album of all time. And for a good reason, too.
In a way, Davis had this sort of jazzy Midas touch – many of the jazz musicians you listen to today owe a lot to him in regards to their prominence in the jazz worlds. This includes Bill Evans, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, John Coltrane (or as Miles would call him, ‘Trane), Cannonball Adderley, and Keith Jarrett. (Don’t you notice a lot of pianists here? Hah.)
Although he died in 1991 (after a struggle with drugs, especially heroin), Davis has left behind some pretty incredible stuff.
Where to start when you want to start with Miles:
ALBUMS:
1…Kind of Blue.
2…Birth of the Cool.
3…Miles Smiles.
4…Miles Ahead.
5…1958 Miles. (this is where Miles worked his Midas touch on Bill Evans.)
6…Bitches Brew.
Check out these tunes:
1…So What.
2…Milestones.
3…Walkin’
4…Freddie Freeloader.
5…All Blues.
6…Spanish Keys.
Make sure you also listen to the Miles Davis Quintet, especially in these albums:
1…Cookin’ With the Miles Davis Quintet.
2…Relaxin’ With the Miles Davis Quintet.
3…Workin’ With the Miles Davis Quintet.
4…Steamin’ With the Miles Davis Quintet.
Have fun. :]
“Don’t play what’s there, play what’s not there.” -Miles Davis
CURRENTLY LISTENING TO: Flamenco Sketches/Kind of Blue/Miles Davis
