New Trailer for Miles Davis Biofilm

A while back (almost two years ago) I posted about how actor Don Cheadle was seeking funding to make a Miles Davis biofilm 'Miles Ahead'; well after a long wait, the film is going to be released in theaters on April 1!

Here's the epic 2 minute trailer that was posted last night:

Miles Davis' 'Kind of Blue' the 5th Best Selling Vinyl in 2015

via Sinister Salad

So far in 2015, these are the top 10 most selling vinyls according to Nielsen Music:

1. Taylor Swift, 1989 (34,000)
2. Sufjan Stevens, Carrie & Lowell (32,000)
3. Arctic Monkeys, AM (27,000)
4. Alabama Shakes, Sound & Color (26,000)
5. Miles Davis, Kind of Blue (23,000)
6. Sam Smith, In the Lonely Hour (23,000)
7. Pink Floyd, Dark Side of the Moon (23,000)
8. Guardians of the Galaxy soundtrack (22,000)
9. Father John Misty, I Love You Honeybear (22,000)
10. Hozier, Hozier (21,000)

My my.

We already know that this seminal jazz album by trumpeter and legend Miles Davis is the best selling jazz album of all time; but to still be this relevant in 2015? It seems it's relevance is still paramount, even after almost 60 years since release.

[SOURCE]

'Miles Davis at Newport 1955-1975: Bootleg Series Vol. 4' Coming in July

It's official; another collection of bootlegs spanning 20 years at the Newport Jazz Festival from Miles Davis and his band.

From the official release:

MILES DAVIS AT NEWPORT 1955-1975: THE BOOTLEG SERIES VOL. 4 SCHEDULED FOR RELEASE JULY 17 THROUGH COLUMBIA/LEGACY RECORDINGS FOUR-CD BOX SET TRACKS MILES’ ASCENDANCE OVER EIGHT LIVE FESTIVAL PERFORMANCES SPANNING 20 YEARS IN NEWPORT, NEW YORK, BERLIN, AND SWITZERLAND; 296-MINUTE PROGRAM INCLUDES NEARLY FOUR HOURS OF PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED MATERIAL.

Below is the full songlist and musicians:

CD 1: (July 17, 1955: Newport Jazz Festival, Newport, RI)

Selections: 1. Spoken Introductions by Duke Ellington and Gerry Mulligan • 2. Hackensack • 3. ’Round Midnight (previously released) • 4. Now’s The Time •

(All-Star Jam Session: Miles Davis, trumpet; Zoot Sims, tenor saxophone; Gerry Mulligan, baritone saxophone; Thelonious Monk, piano; Percy Heath, bass; Connie Kay, drums.)

(July 3, 1958: Newport Jazz Festival, Newport, RI)

Selections: 5. Spoken Introduction by Willis Conover (previously released) • 6. Ah-Leu-Cha (previously released) • 7. Straight, No Chaser (previously released) • 8. Fran-Dance (previously released) • 9. Two Bass Hit (previously released) • 10. Bye Bye Blackbird (previously released) • 11. The Theme (previously released) .

(Miles Davis, trumpet; Cannonball Adderley, alto saxophone; John Coltrane, tenor saxophone; Bill Evans, piano; Paul Chambers, bass; Jimmy Cobb, drums.)

CD 2: (July 4, 1966: Newport Jazz Festival, Newport, RI)

Selections: 1. Gingerbread Boy • 2. All Blues • 3. Stella By Starlight • 4. R.J. • 5. Seven Steps To Heaven • 6. The Theme / Closing Announcement by Leonard Feather.

(July 2, 1967: Newport Jazz Festival, Newport, RI)

Selections: 7. Spoken Introduction by Del Shields • 8. Gingerbread Boy • 9. Footprints • 10. ’Round Midnight • 11. So What • 12. The Theme/Closing Announcement by Del Shields 

(1966 & 1967: Miles Davis, trumpet; Wayne Shorter, tenor saxophone; Herbie Hancock, piano; Ron Carter, bass; Tony Williams, drums.)

CD 3: (July 5, 1969: Newport Jazz Festival, Newport, RI)

Selections: 1. Miles Runs The Voodoo Down (previously released) • 2. Sanctuary (previously released) • 3. It’s About That Time / The Theme (previously released) .

(Miles Davis, trumpet; Chick Corea, electric piano; Dave Holland, bass; Jack DeJohnette, drums.)

(November 1, 1973: Newport Jazz Festival In Europe, Berlin)

Selections: 4. Spoken Introduction by Ronnie Scott/Band Warming Up • 5. Turnaroundphrase • 6. Tune In 5 • 7. Ife • 8. Untitled Original • 9. Tune In 5/Closing Announcement by Ronnie Scott

(Miles Davis, trumpet, organ; Dave Liebman, soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone, flute; Pete Cosey, guitar, percussion; Reggie Lucas, guitar; Michael Henderson, electric bass; Al Foster, drums; James Mtume Forman, percussion.)

(July 1, 1975: Newport Jazz Festival – NY, Avery Fisher Hall)

Selection: 10. Mtume.

(Miles Davis, trumpet, organ; Sam Morrison, tenor saxophone; Pete Cosey, guitar, percussion; Reggie Lucas, guitar; Michael Henderson, electric bass; Al Foster, drums; James Mtume Forman, percussion.)

CD 4: (October 22, 1971 : Newport Jazz Festival In Europe, Neue Stadthalle, Dietikon, Switzerland)

Selections: 1. Directions • 2. What I Say • 3. Sanctuary • 4. It’s About That Time • 5. Bitches Brew • 6. Funky Tonk • 7. Sanctuary.

(Miles Davis, trumpet; Gary Bartz, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone; Keith Jarrett, electric piano, organ; Michael Henderson, electric bass; Ndugu Leon Chancler, drums; Don Alias, percussion; James Mtume Forman, percussion.)

50 Years This Month: 'E.S.P.' - Miles Davis

At about the mid-point of his career, Miles Davis formed a band which has been called his “Second Great Quintet”, with a line-up of young talent that included tenor saxophonist Wayne Shorter, pianist Herbie Hancock, bassist Ron Carter, and drummer Tony Williams. In January 1965, Miles Davis released the album 'E.S.P'. along with this quintet. The album contained no covers, rather all new material by this quintet.

Unlike his old colleague John Coltrane, who would release his ultimate album 'A Love Supreme' in February 1965 (more on that next month!), Mile's E.S.P album is still a pretty traditional jazz album, considering the time in was released. In the mid-60's jazz was taking major steps in many directions, but Miles wouldn't make a drastic change in his music until his 1969 album 'In a Silent Way'. 

Here's the title track from the album:

Celebrate the Autumn Equinox, Jazz Style

Well Autumn is finally here today, if you're into that sorta thing.

Here are the standards 'Autumn Leaves' and 'Equinox' by Miles Davis and John Coltrane respectively to set the mood.

Blues & Jazz Unite: Muddy Waters and Dizzy Gillespie

Blues and Jazz are blood brothers; you can't talk about one without discussing the other. The saying goes "The Blues is the Preacher and Jazz is the Teacher".

So it's pretty obvious that one day they should share the stage... indeed, Miles Davis and John Lee Hooker recorded the soundtrack for the Hotspot film. 

Another giant meeting was with Muddy Waters and Dizzy Gillespie, where the latter shared the stage with Muddy and his blues band for a few numbers, and was later released as an album. To hear the signature trumpet sound of Dizzy over a Chicago style 12-bar blues is dazzling!

Unfortunately there are no Youtube links to share... and for copyright reasons I can't post MP3 links. 

Suffice it to say that these cross genre collaborations are always fun to hear and watch. 

Celebrating the Birthday of Miles Davis

On May 26, 1926, Miles Davis, the legendary jazz leader, composer, and trumpeter, was born.

I've spent many articles on Miles in the past; but you can never have enough of talking or discussing this great figure, for his contributions to music generally, and jazz specifically, are far too numerous.

Never seeking to stay stagnant or fade into obscurity or being considered a 'relic' of the past, Miles always kept pushing his music further.

It started when he moved away from bebop, into cool jazz, a style that he was monumental in developing, to his shift to hard bop during the early to mid, 50's. His leap into modal jazz was cemented when he released the best selling jazz album of all time, Kind of Blue, to much acclaim.

He started playing with electric sounds and literally creating the genre of fusion, Miles released In a Silent Way, and then the Electric Miles phase was born.

Electric Miles

He even released (although posthumously), a hip-hop/jazz album with the help of Easy Mo Bee called Doo Wop.

His trumpet style is also widely duplicated, in the philosophy of "less is more".

His legacy lives on through his music, and all the awards such as the Lifetime Achievement Award, several  Grammys  and the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame. 

We salute the King of the Cool, Miles Davis, and I leave you with one of his most recognizable songs, a live version of "So What" of the Kind of Blue album, featuring John Coltrane on the tenor sax, and don't forget the block party being hosted by his estate in NYC for the Miles Davis Way celebration!

Block Party in NYC Celebrating 'Miles Davis Way'

A few month back I posted that New York City's 312 West 77th Street will now be renamed 'Miles Davis Way'. In celebration, the Miles Davis Estate has invited everyone to go celebrate this occasion at a block party:

Join us Monday, May 26 from 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. EDT on Miles Davis' 88th birthday

At 312 W 77 Street (between Riverside Drive & West End Ave.) in New York, NY

This event will be FREE and OPEN to the public, hosted by Cheryl Davis, Erin Davis and Vine Wilburn, Jr.

If you live or are near New York City, you owe yourself to go and check it out!

Miles Davis Responds to Jackie Chamoun's Critics

Miles Davis Music Sees New Administrator, New Deals

[SOURCE]

The estate of Miles Davis and the Kobalt Music Group have announced that Kobalt will now run the entire Miles Davis music catalog. The music was previously administered by Universal Music.

According to them this will create new opportunities as they wish to expand to media, advertising, TV and film licensing of Davis' music.

This is a good move I suppose; why shouldn't we have more Miles in our everyday lives?

Speaking of ads, here's an old ad for a Honda scooter that Miles did; pretty awkward if you ask me.

New Release: Miles Davis 'Live At Fillmore' Complete Performance

Yet another re-release is planned for jazz legend / guru Miles Davis, this time the 'Live At Filmore' album, which was originally released in 1970. The concert lasted 4 days at the famed Filmore East in Manhattan's East Village. 

The original release was heavily edited and therefore the track names were changed to the dates of the performances (Wednesday Miles, Thursday Miles etc). The CD release in 1997 had the actual song names. 

This expanded re-issue will be a 4 CD release with the entire four days included, which means there will be over two hours of unreleased music, the sound of Miles' electric jazz era. The performers include Steve Grossman on tenor and soprano sax, Chick Corea on Fender Rhodes electric piano, Keith Jarretton electronic organ, Dave Holland on acoustic and electric bass, Jack DeJohnette on drums, and Airto Moreira on percussion, cuica (Brazilian drum).

The songs include It's About that Time, Directions, I Fall in Love Too Easily, and many more.

[SOURCE] , noting that an official announcement by Sony has not been issued, but it has been teased on Miles Davis' Facebook page. 

Here's an audio clip from the original release; delve into the cool:

'Miles Davis Way' Officially Named in NYC

New York City's 312 West 77th Street has been officially named 'Miles Davis Way' by Mayor Bloomberg, after intense campaigning from Shirley Zafirau, his old neighbor.

Legendary trumpeter and jazz leader Miles Davis lived on that street for almost 25 years. 

Read the whole story [here].

Miles Davis' Last Concert to be Released on DVD

[SOURCE]

 A new DVD of the Miles Davis With Quincy Jones and the Gil Evans Orchestra Live at Montreux 1991 concert will be released soon by Eagle Rock Entertainment, of Miles' final concert in 1991.

This should be a treat for the lovers of his later works of fusion and jazz-rock.

Here's the tracklist:

1. Introduction 
2. Boplicity 
3. Maids of Cadiz
4. The Duke 
5. My Ship
6. Miles Ahead
7. Blues for Pablo
8. Orgone
9. Gone, Gone, Gone
10. Summertime
11. Here Come De Honey Man
12. The Pan Piper
13. Solea

And here's the video of "Miles Ahead":

'In Your Own Sweet Way' - Miles Davis

I was shuffling through my music player in the car yesterday night when this song came on. That high pitched muted trumpet of Miles, the mellow tone of John Coltrane's sax,  and smooth piano of Red Garland just felt right on that cold Sunday evening.

This song is featured on the "Workin' With the Miles Davis Quintet" album from 1956, but is actually written by Dave Brubeck.

I hope you enjoy this ballady jazz tune like I did, and that it might remind you of a special someone.

Miles Davis Bops the Blues

Miles Davis, still in his very early days, recorded some unreleased tracks with vocalists Earl Coleman and Anne Baker in 1946. These bluesy bop numbers were released under the album name "Bopping the Blues". The performances are very mellow and shows Miles at a young age, and that early bebop sound. It's not well developed but it is an interesting take on the blues.

 Of interest, are Gene Ammons on sax  Art Blakey on the drums.

The album only has 4 songs but each one has 4 alternate takes.

Here's  'Don't Sing me the Blues' with Earl Coleman on vocals.