[light] [dark]

Miles Ahead session details

[Return to 1960s sessions]

December 23, 1965 (21 items; TT = 235:16)
Plugged Nickel Club, Chicago IL
Commercial for Columbia

Miles Davis (tpt); Wayne Shorter (ts); Herbie Hancock (p); Ron Carter (b); Tony Williams (d)

First set
1 If I Were a Bell (F. Loesser) 13:34
2 Stella by Starlight (N. Washington-V. Young) 13:08
3 Walkin' (R. Carpenter) 11:02
4 I Fall in Love Too Easily (S. Cahn-J. Styne) 12:06

Incomplete (11:00) prior to Mosaic MQ10-158 and Columbia Legacy 66956
5 The Theme (with applause) (M. Davis) 2:59

Second set
6 All of You (C. Porter) 10:52
7 Agitation (M. Davis) 10:50
8 My Funny Valentine (R. Rodgers-L. Hart) 13:59
9 On Green Dolphin Street (N. Washington-B. Kaper) 13:06

Incomplete (11:28) prior to Mosaic MQ10-158 and Columbia Legacy 66956
10 So What (M. Davis) 13:35
11 The Theme (with applause) (M. Davis) 3:32

Third set
12 When I Fall in Love (E. Heyman-V. Young) 13:44
13 Milestones (M. Davis) 11:37

Incomplete (10:16) prior to Mosaic MQ10-158 and Columbia Legacy 66956
14 Autumn Leaves (J. Prevert-J. Mercer-J. Kosma) 12:05
15 I Fall in Love Too Easily (S. Cahn-J. Styne) 11:45
16 No Blues (M. Davis) 20:02

Incomplete (18:38) prior to Mosaic MQ10-158 and Columbia Legacy 66956
17 The Theme (with applause) (M. Davis) 0:28

Fourth set
18 Stella by Starlight (N. Washington-V. Young) 14:20
19 All Blues (M. Davis) 12:24
20 Yesterdays (J. Kern-O. Harbach) 15:05

Incomplete (5:32) prior to Mosaic MQ10-158 and Columbia Legacy 66956
21 The Theme (with applause) (M. Davis) 5:03

Incomplete (4:14) prior to Mosaic MQ10-158 and Columbia Legacy 66956


1 If I Were a Bell
12" LP: Mosaic MQ10-158, Klimt MJJ349CLP
CD: Columbia Legacy CXK 66955, Sony SRCS 5766/72, Sony SRCS 7351/7, Sony SIC7 10001/8

2 Stella by Starlight
12" LP: CBS/Sony 18AP 2068, CBS/Sony 23AP 2568, CBS/Sony 25AP 291, Columbia C2 38266, Mosaic MQ10-158
CD: Columbia Legacy CXK 66955, Columbia CK 67377, Columbia Legacy CK 64616, , Sony SRCS 5766/72, Sony SRCS 7351/7, Sony SIC7 10001/8, Sony SRCS 2461, Sony SICP 4180/1, Sony SICJ 30067/8, Columbia Legacy 86975 24922 [= Columbia (F) 86975 52492] (CD 25)

3 Walkin'
12" LP: CBS/Sony 18AP 2067, CBS/Sony 23AP 2567, CBS/Sony 25AP 1, Columbia C2 38266, Mosaic MQ10-158, Klimt MJJ349CLP
CD: Columbia Legacy CXK 66955, Columbia CK 67377, CBS/Sony 32DP 723, Sony SRCS 5766/72, Sony SRCS 7351/7, Sony SIC7 10001/8, Sony SRCS 2461, Sony SICP 4180/1, Sony SICJ 30067/8, Columbia Legacy 86975 24922 [= Columbia (F) 86975 52492] (CD 25)

4 I Fall in Love Too Easily
12" LP: Mosaic MQ10-158
CD: Columbia Legacy CXK 66955, Sony SRCS 5766/72, Sony SRCS 7351/7, Sony SIC7 10001/8, Sony SRCS 9754

5 The Theme (with applause)
12" LP: Mosaic MQ10-158
CD: Columbia Legacy CXK 66955, Sony SRCS 5766/72, Sony SRCS 7351/7, Sony SIC7 10001/8

6 All of You
12" LP: Mosaic MQ10-158, Klimt MJJ349CLP
CD: Columbia Legacy CXK 66955, Sony SRCS 5766/72, Sony SRCS 7351/7, Sony SIC7 10001/8

7 Agitation
12" LP: CBS/Sony 18AP 2067, CBS/Sony 23AP 2567, CBS/Sony 25AP 1, Columbia C2 38266, Mosaic MQ10-158, Klimt MJJ349CLP
CD: Columbia Legacy CXK 66955, CBS/Sony 32DP 723, Sony SRCS 5766/72, Sony SRCS 7351/7, Sony SIC7 10001/8, Sony SICP 4180/1, Sony SICJ 30067/8, Columbia Legacy 86975 24922 [= Columbia (F) 86975 52492] (CD 25)

8 My Funny Valentine
12" LP: Mosaic MQ10-158, Klimt MJJ349CLP
CD: Columbia Legacy CXK 66955, Sony SRCS 5766/72, Sony SRCS 7351/7, Sony SIC7 10001/8

9 On Green Dolphin Street
12" LP: CBS/Sony 18AP 2067, CBS/Sony 23AP 2567, CBS/Sony 25AP 1, Columbia C2 38266, Mosaic MQ10-158, Klimt MJJ349CLP
CD: CBS/Sony 32DP 723, Columbia Legacy CXK 66955, Sony SRCS 5766/72, Sony SRCS 7351/7, Sony SIC7 10001/8, Sony SRCS 9754, Sony SICP 4180/1, Sony SICJ 30067/8, Columbia Legacy 86975 24922 [= Columbia (F) 86975 52492] (CD 25)

10 So What
12" LP: CBS/Sony 18AP 2067, CBS/Sony 23AP 2567, CBS/Sony 25AP 1, Columbia C2 38266, Mosaic MQ10-158, Klimt MJJ349CLP
CD: Columbia Legacy CXK 66955, Columbia CK 67377, CBS/Sony 32DP 723, Sony SRCS 5766/72, Sony SRCS 7351/7, Sony SIC7 10001/8, Sony SRCS 2461, Sony SICP 4180/1, Sony SICJ 30067/8, Columbia Legacy 86975 24922 [= Columbia (F) 86975 52492] (CD 25)

11 The Theme (with applause)
12" LP: CBS/Sony 18AP 2067, CBS/Sony 23AP 2567, CBS/Sony 25AP 1, Columbia C2 38266, Mosaic MQ10-158
CD: Columbia Legacy CXK 66955, CBS/Sony 32DP 723, Sony SRCS 5766/72, Sony SRCS 7351/7, Sony SIC7 10001/8, Sony SICP 4180/1, Sony SICJ 30067/8, Columbia Legacy 86975 24922 [= Columbia (F) 86975 52492] (CD 25)

12 When I Fall in Love
12" LP: Mosaic MQ10-158
CD: Columbia Legacy CXK 66955, Sony SRCS 5766/72, Sony SRCS 7351/7, Sony SIC7 10001/8

13 Milestones
12" LP: Columbia CJ 40465, Mosaic MQ10-158, Klimt MJJ349CLP
CD: Columbia CK 40465, Columbia Legacy CXK 66955, Columbia CK 67377, Sony SRCS 5766/72, Sony SRCS 7351/7, Sony SIC7 10001/8, Sony SRCS 2461, Sony SRCS 9754

14 Autumn Leaves
12" LP: Mosaic MQ10-158, Klimt MJJ349CLP
CD: Columbia Legacy CXK 66955, Sony SRCS 5766/72, Sony SRCS 7351/7, Sony SIC7 10001/8

15 I Fall in Love Too Easily
12" LP: Mosaic MQ10-158
CD: Columbia Legacy CXK 66955, Sony SRCS 5766/72, Sony SRCS 7351/7, Sony SIC7 10001/8

16 No Blues
12" LP: Mosaic MQ10-158, Klimt MJJ349CLP
CD: Columbia Legacy CXK 66955, Sony SRCS 5766/72, Sony SRCS 7351/7, Sony SIC7 10001/8, Sony SRCS 9754

17 The Theme (with applause)
12" LP: Mosaic MQ10-158, Klimt MJJ349CLP
CD: Columbia Legacy CXK 66955, Sony SRCS 5766/72, Sony SRCS 7351/7, Sony SIC7 10001/8, Sony SRCS 9754

18 Stella by Starlight
12" LP: Mosaic MQ10-158
CD: Columbia Legacy CXK 66955, Sony SRCS 5766/72, Sony SRCS 7351/7, Sony SIC7 10001/8

19 All Blues
12" LP: CBS/Sony 18AP 2068, CBS/Sony 23AP 2568, CBS/Sony 25AP 291, Columbia C2 38266, Mosaic MQ10-158, Klimt MJJ349CLP
CD: Columbia Legacy CXK 66955, , Sony SRCS 5766/72, Sony SRCS 7351/7, Sony SIC7 10001/8, Sony SICP 4180/1, Sony SICJ 30067/8, Columbia Legacy 86975 24922 [= Columbia (F) 86975 52492] (CD 25)

20 Yesterdays
12" LP: CBS/Sony 18AP 2068, CBS/Sony 23AP 2568, CBS/Sony 25AP 291, Columbia C2 38266, Mosaic MQ10-158, Klimt MJJ349CLP
CD: Columbia Legacy CXK 66955, Columbia CK 67377, , Sony SRCS 5766/72, Sony SRCS 7351/7, Sony SIC7 10001/8, Sony SRCS 2461, Sony SICP 4180/1, Sony SICJ 30067/8, Columbia Legacy 86975 24922 [= Columbia (F) 86975 52492] (CD 25)

21 The Theme (with applause)
12" LP: CBS/Sony 18AP 2068, CBS/Sony 23AP 2568, CBS/Sony 25AP 291, Columbia C2 38266, Mosaic MQ10-158
CD: Columbia Legacy CXK 66955, , Sony SRCS 5766/72, Sony SRCS 7351/7, Sony SIC7 10001/8, Sony SRCS 9754, Sony SICP 4180/1, Sony SICJ 30067/8, Columbia Legacy 86975 24922 [= Columbia (F) 86975 52492] (CD 25)


Several tunes are edited on issues prior to Mosaic MQ10-158 and Columbia CXK 66955 because portions were missing on the tapes used as masters. By using (previously unknown) three-track B-reels, Columbia was able to restore these tunes to their full length:

  • "I Fall in Love Too Easily" (first set) - add 1:07 to ts solo. Listen for clean edit at 5:34 of incomplete version.
  • "On Green Dolphin Street" (second set) - add 1:35 to tpt solo. Listen for audible splice at 2:23 of incomplete version.
  • "Milestones" (third set) - add 1:28 to ts solo. Listen for audible splice at 5:58 of incomplete version.
  • "No Blues" (third set) - add 1:30 to second tpt solo + ensemble. Listen for audible splice at 18:16 of incomplete version.
  • "Yesterdays" (fourth set) - add 1:06 to tpt solo; restore ts and p solos (8:21). Listen for audible splice at 5:03 of incomplete version.
  • "The Theme" (fourth set) - add 0:57 to tpt/ts dialogue. Listen for audible splice at 3:12 of incomplete version.

More information (and some personal reflections) on these nights at the Plugged Nickel are available elsewhere on this site.

The Davis Quintet was booked for two weeks at the Plugged Nickel, from December 21 until January 2. According to Bob Belden, Reggie Workman played the bass on December 21, and Carter arrived to replace him for the remainder of the stay. They played December 21-23 (Tuesday-Thursday); were off on the 24th and 25th (Friday and Saturday), played December 26-27 (Sunday and Monday); were off on the 28th, and played December 29-January 2 (Wednesday-Sunday). The "Miles Davis Quartet" -- presumably the Quintet without Davis -- played Sunday matinées. They returned to New York in January, and were booked at the Village Vanguard for Friday-through-Sunday shows for much of January (January 7-9, 14-16, 21-23, and 28-30).

All original content on this website is licensed by Peter Losin under a Creative Commons License