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Once upon a time, jam sessions were the rule rather than
the exception. Musicians would rent studios for the express
purpose of blowing. Even those who were working regular
jazz engagements would get together afterwards and
sometimes blow until they had to go to work the next
evening. Unfortunately, inspired events like these rarely
happen anymore. With the great emphasis on recording in
jazz today, it is only natural that the LP has been called
on to resuscitate the medium of the jam session.
An important difference between the informal session and
one recorded for public consumption is that in the latter
it is not a matter of anyone "falling in" to play. The
participants must be able to sustain melodic, harmonic and
rhythmic interest for more than one chorus. With Thelonious
Monk adding his wry witticisms and rhythmic fillips and the
All-American rhythm team of Kenny Clarke and Percy Heath
supplying the power, Miles and Milt create an atmosphere
rich in idea and warmth.
Each of the soloists contributed a tune to the session.
Milt Jackson's BAGS' GROOVE has reached the position of
jazz standard at a young age and rightfully so. BEMSHA
SWING is a joint effort by Thelonious Monk and Denzil Best
and was previously heard in Monk's trio album (Prestige LP
142). The lively SWING SPRING is Miles' written offering to
the proceedings. For the fourth selection George Gershwin's
THE MAN I LOVE provides an excellent vehicle for
improvisation as it has many times in the past.
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THE MUSICIANS...
MILES DAVIS, one of the five most important trumpeters in
jazz history, was born in Alton, Illinois in 1926. His
formal training includes study at Juilliard but he
developed his highly original style while playing with
Charlie Parker. His superb combination of imagination and
emotion marks him as the most meaningful jazz trumpeter
today. He won the Esquire poll as New Star in 1947 and the
Metronome poll 1950-52.
MILT JACKSON is originally from Detroit where he was born
in 1923. He studied music at Michigan State and was the
first to bring modern jazz to the vibes. Like Miles Davis
he was a New Star award in the 1947 Esquire poll and has
gone on to become the world's premier jazz vibist.
THELONIOUS MONK, a native New Yorker born in 1920, was one
of the moulders of bop, a creator whose compositions such
as 'ROUND ABOUT MIDNIGHT, RUBY MY DEAR and WELL YOU NEEDN'T
are widely played by modern jazzmen.
KENNY CLARKE, born in Pittsburgh in 1914, is like Davis one
of the most important influences of his time on his
instrument and like Monk, one of the founding fathers of
the musical revolution of the Forties.
PERCY HEATH was born in Wilmington, North Carolina in 1923,
but was raised in Philadelphia where he did much playing.
One of the most recorded bassists of the Fifties, he won
the Down Beat Critics' poll as New Star in 1954.
Notes by IRA GITLER
Engineer - Rudy Van Gelder
Photos - Bob Weinstock
Cover Design - Don Schlitten
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