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ONE WAY Recommends [Issue
#21]
The Miles Davis Quintet By
Scott Yanow
The Legendary Prestige Quintet Sessions
(CD
Prestige)
In 1955, the 29-year old trumpeter Miles Davis was poised to make history. Having
gained some fame for his work with the Charlie Parker Quintet during 1947-48 and
for his nown Birth Of The Cool nonet recordings (1948-50), Davis had spent several
years scuffling before beating a heroin addiction. In 1955 he formed his first
regularly working band, a quintet with the then-unknown tenor-saxophonist John
Coltrane (who was also 29), pianist Red Garland, bassist Paul Chambers and drummer
Philly Joe Jones. The quintet recorded the record Miles on Nov. 16, 1955 and,
to fulfill their contract with Prestige so they could record for Columbia, they
made four studio albums on May 11 and Oct. 26, 1956 (Workin’, Relaxin’,
Cookin’, and Steamin’), playing one song after another (with no second
takes) as they would in a club. This four-CD box set not only reissues the
32 familiar selections, but has a full disc of broadcasts including an odd appearance
on The Tonight Show. While some of the live music was formerly available on bootlegs,
this is its first official commercial release. This is essential music, particularly
to those listeners not already in possession of Miles Davis’ five Prestige
albums.
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