MAY 11

                   MILES DAVIS
          Quintet Session

               Recording Date:
                   May 11, 1956

               Personnel:
                  Paul Chambers     B
                  John Coltrane      TS
                  Miles Davis          TP
                  Red Garland         P
                  Philly Joe Jones   D

              







Review

On May 11 and October 26, 1956 the Miles Davis Quintet, featuring John Coltrane on tenor sax, Red Garland on piano, Paul Chambers on bass and 'Philly' Joe Jones on drums, went into the studio to record two mammoth sessions in the Rudy Van Gelder studio. This studio time resulted in four legendary hard bop albums: Cookin', Relaxin', Workin', and Steamin' with the Miles Davis Quintet. For these sessions the quintet simply played their live set straight through, as if they were playing at a club. One take. That's it. And as a result, these albums are as close as anyone (who wasn't there) will ever come to knowing what one of the most memorable jazz combos in history must have sounded like live. The incredible tension between all five musicians shines through -- Miles' poised and sparing trumpet in stark contrast with Coltrane's more urgent and note heavy sax, backed by one of the best rhythm sections in jazz -- and the studio banter that can be heard makes it feel like you are in a stage-side seat. Interestingly, there is very little original material, but what we do have is a glimpse straight into the heart of what was popular in jazz music at the time. Because of the unique way in which these albums were recorded, it is only fitting that they be brought together in one package, and on vinyl as nature intended. Now they have also been remastered by the original sound engineer Rudy Van Gelder himself, who commented, 'I remember those sessions well, I remember how the musicians wanted to sound...Today, I feel strongly that I am their messenger.'