Overview
In this section, we will focus on the late 1950s and early 1960s to learn more about Miles Davis and two of his most influential sidemen: Bill Evans and John Coltrane. We will consider the significance of Davis' musical compositions and those of his fellow musicians, and examine how their works continue to impact jazz even to the present day.
Objectives
Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to do the following:
- Identify many of the contributions of Miles Davis to jazz
- Define modal jazz
- Recognize the contributions of Bill Evans to jazz—most especially to jazz piano
- Recognize the contributions of the members of Bill Evans’ most celebrated trio
- Recognize the contributions of John Coltrane as saxophonist, composer and bandleader
- Recognize the contributions of the members of John Coltrane’s classic quartet
So What
On the opening track of Kind of Blue, So What ♫, the dorian modeA mode, such as from D to D, featuring the following sequence of whole steps (W) and half-steps (H): W H W W W H W W is used in two different keysA term that indicates the musical scale and the musical note around which a composition is harmonically centered : D dorian and E-flat dorian. The track starts with a marvelously Impressionistic introduction, a duet between Paul Chambers on bass and Bill Evans on piano. Then comes the headA synonym for melody. , which consists of a call-and-responseA musical “back-and-forth” characterized by alternations between two groups, or between a soloist and a group. , first between bass and piano, then between bass and piano joined by the horns.
From this simple 2-bar call-and-response, Miles Davis builds a 32-bar chorus One full play-through of a song's tune. in the standard AABA form (0:33-1:30). In this case, though, the B section differs from the A sections only in being pitched one half step higher (E-flat rather than D).
Following the initial chorus of So What ♫, Miles, 'Trane, Cannonball, and Evans each take a turn soloing. In tempo and timing, So What ♫ projects a relaxed sound that is a new kind of "cool." During the reserved and understated solos of Davis and Evans, the track is especially relaxed. In the solos of 'Trane and Cannonball, things heat up considerably, but the fire is tempered by the cool elements inherent in the tune. Let's listen So What ♫.
