Miles Davis and Gil Evans Porgy And Bess: The Definitive Rendition
October 14, 2015 | Posted in JAZZ | By Jason Sositko
The Davis/Evans Arrangement Stands the Test of Time: Words can not adequately describe how utterly gorgeous the Davis/Evans version of Porgy & Bess is, only the experience of the music can justify its reputation. The Gershwin folk opera seen through
Is There Any Groundbreaking Jazz in the 21st Century?
August 9, 2015 | Posted in JAZZ | By Jason Sositko
Jazz died in the late 60’s, right? There are some people who believe jazz died when Miles Davis went Electric with his 1969 album In A Silent Way, then spat in jazz’s face when he released Bitches Brew in 1970.
John Coltrane’s Alabama Elegy
April 22, 2015 | Posted in JAZZ | By Jason Sositko
Saxophone sermon from on high John Coltrane (1926-1967) was the greatest saxophonist who ever lived, only Charlie Parker comes close. To say Coltrane is God’s saxophonist would not be hyperbole at all in my mind. Something about his tenor sax
Fantastic Box Sets for the Miles Davis Jazz Fanatic
April 20, 2015 | Posted in JAZZ | By Jason Sositko
Genius of Miles Davis Trumpet Case When the pictured Miles Davis Trumpet Case was delivered by UPS, I felt like a kid on Christmas morning. I had coveted this box for 2 years waiting for the price to drop to
What Are Some of the Best Miles Davis Quotes
April 12, 2015 | Posted in JAZZ | By Jason Sositko
The quotable Miles Davis: The 9 selected quotes below do indeed capture the essence of the street wise and equally brilliant mind of Miles Davis. Some of Miles’ quotes cut to the core, like a skilled surgeon performing an appendectomy.
The Second Great Quintet of Miles Davis: The Best Band Miles Ever Had
April 5, 2015 | Posted in JAZZ | By Jason Sositko
Nearly telepathic band interplay At the risk of hyperbole, I believe The Miles Davis Quintet of 1965 to 1968 is the greatest modern jazz group ever assembled. Think about it? Saxophonist Wayne Shorter at his composing and playing peak, Herbie
Miles Davis: The Final 10 Years of Music
April 3, 2015 | Posted in JAZZ | By Jason Sositko
Not groundbreaking music, but still pretty good: I will not insult your intelligence by saying the 1980’s music from Miles Davis is as good or even close to being as groundbreaking as the earlier time periods of his music. I
Going Off the Score with Stewart Copeland and Jon Kimura Parker
April 2, 2015 | Posted in CLASSICAL, JAZZ, LIVE MUSIC | By sockii
An impressive ensemble of talented, diverse musicians recently completed a 5-date tour of college concert halls across the United States. Led by legendary drummer and composer Stewart Copeland and award-winning pianist Jon Kimura Parker, the band led listeners “Off the Score” with an energetic, challenging and varied collection of music that ranged from Igor Stravinsky to Paul Schoenfield, from re-interpreted Police songs to newly-commissioned classical work.
What Happened During the Lost Years of Miles Davis
March 30, 2015 | Posted in JAZZ | By Jason Sositko
Miles Barely Survived: No time in the life of Miles Davis is more of an enigma than the “lost” period. The period where Miles forced himself into retirement from late 1975 through Mid 1980. During this 5 year period, Miles
Miles Davis Birth of the Cool: Hauntingly Good Music From 1949/1950
March 29, 2015 | Posted in JAZZ | By Jason Sositko
The Beginning of the Davis/Evans Collaboration Historically, one of the oddities about the Birth of the Cool is that the music gathered in one place was not released until 1957. After Miles had Secured his big deal with Columbia, in
