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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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