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Although this video is listed as John Coltrane and Miles Davis, it should actually be listed as Miles Davis only. Coltrane was at this point simply the tenor man in Miles band, and as amazing as his playing is here the modal improvisations were more Miles’ innovation. It’s slightly disappointing to hear a different pianist playing in this than the brilliant Bill Evans, who played on the record, Kind of Blue, from which this song is taken. The pianist here is not as fluid an improvisor in this mode as Evans. Evans played a big role in developing the modal vocabulary of jazz around this time and it felt natural coming off his fingers. Little less sure by this player (Wynton Kelly?).
At any rate, So What stands as one of the most recognizable tracks ever in jazz. The open form and changes give two of the foremost soloists of all time on their respective instruments ample opportunity to blow and express freely. Brilliant stuff. Kind of Blue is an absolute must have for any serious listener of music.
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– John Munson is a musician, thinker and one of the truly great men of show business. Currently playing stand up bass in The New Standards, John rocked houses, clubs and stadiums across the world as a member of legendary bands Semisonic and Trip Shakespeare. He is also a proud graduate of Minnehaha Academy.
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Booker T & the MGs – Green Onions, by Jacob Slichter, Celebrity Guest Blogger
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