Miles Davis & Milt Jackson - Quintet & Sextet (1955) [Jazz][mp3

Miles Davis & Milt Jackson - Quintet & Sextet
Original Release Date: August 5, 1955
Label: Prestige/OJC
Audio CD: July 1, 1991
Time: 30:45
Bitrate: mp3 320 kbps

Lesser heralded than their collaboration with Monk ( as documented on BAGS' GROOVE and MILES DAVIS AND THE MODERN JAZZ GIANTS ), this August 5, 1955 session with vibraphonist Milt Jackson was Miles' last all-star collaboration before the formation of his first classic quintet. It marked a farewell to an older generation of acolytes and fellow travellers. Miles was entering a new era of leadership and international stardom, and generally he would only record with his working groups.

QUINTET/SEXTET is notable for two compositions by Jackie McLean: " Dr. Jackle " and " Minor March " ( it appears on his famous 1959 Blue Note date NEW SOIL as " Minor Apprehension " ). The former is a Charlie Parker-ish line featuring a masterful Milt Jackson symposium on the blues--Miles' typically lyric approach, a tart, spacious flight from McLean, and a soulful, dancing Ray Bryant. The latter is a mysterious minor figure with jabbing rhythm breaks and a joyous bridge that recalls " Tempus Fugit. " McLean's vaulting cadences and fervent cry anticipate the rapture of his mature style, and Bryant takes a harmonically adventuresome solo.

Elsewhere the group digs into the Bud Powell-like changes of Ray Bryant's low, slow " Changes " ( over the rock solid groove of Percy Heath and Art Taylor ), and the quirky harmonies and angular melodies of Thad Jones' " Bitty Ditty. " " Changes " inspires a lovely muted statement from Davis, and illustrates Bryant's unique blend of blues, sanctified gospel and bebop. Davis and Jackson combine for pungent voicings on the head to " Bitty Ditty, " then demonstrate their elegant mastery of harmony and swing. Both are inspired by the shape of Jones' line, completely unfazed by its intricacies.

Personnel:
Miles Davis ( trumpet )
Milt Jackson ( vibraphone )
Jackie McLean ( alto saxophone )
Ray Bryant ( piano )
Percy Heath ( bass )
Art Taylor ( drums )

Miles Davis & Milt Jackson - Quintet & Sextet Tracks:
01 Dr.Jackle 8.47
02 Bitty Ditty 6.31
03 Minor March 8.12
04 Changes 7.08