Miles’ First Masterpiece: Birth of the Cool
S12 #17

Miles’ First Masterpiece: Birth of the Cool

Before Kind of Blue, a 21-year-old Miles Davis was already reshaping jazz with Birth of the Cool. In this episode, we explore how Miles teamed up with arranger Gil Evans and a chamber-like nonet to craft a sound full of singable melodies, tightly arranged horns, and forward-thinking restraint. With French horn in the mix, Gerry Mulligan and John Lewis’ arranging touch, and Lee Konitz’s lyrical solos, we unpack why this album – recorded in 1949-1950 and released years later – still lives up to its name.

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Episode Video

Creators and Guests

Adam Maness
Host
Adam Maness
Jazz pianist & Managing Director at Open Studio.
Peter Martin 🎹
Host
Peter Martin 🎹
Jazz pianist and CEO / Founder of Open Studio