Jazz Note #1 - Make it Catchy

JAZZ NOTE # 1 – MAKE IT CATCHY

written by Dave

Miles Davis - Milestones

Miles Davis

As post-war Bebop began to wane into the cold war era, a group of jazz musicians sought to reconnect with their audience. Hard Bop, West Coast Cool, wherever the name, the songs usually stated a quick, catchy theme, letting the players take it from there. A few classics from this time are Lee Morgan’s “Sidewinder”, Horace Silver’s “Song for My Father” and this gem from Miles Davis, “Milestone” from the same-name 1958 Columbia record.

What I like most about this piece is how the hierarchy of the jazz combo is turned around. Usually, it’s the headliner that takes the lead and sets the tone. You would think in a song with “Miles” in the name that Davis would step up to the mic with his muted horn. Instead it’s his sideman on tenor sax, John Coltrane, grabbing the first solo like a quarter-horse out of the gate, sounding like he wants to completely break from the pack, ripping up and down the scales with a buoyant, joyous ease.

“Too many notes,” Davis would constantly chide his young band mate. Coltrane is definitely an interesting contrast to Davis’ subtle, understated tone. Just listen to the first two solos: one playing the edge, almost willingly losing control; the other with no need to impress, a consummate professional taking the smoothest of rides. Also, make note of the slightly awkward transition between the two solos. It almost sounds like Davis tapped Coltrane on the shoulder with a “That’s enough.”