Miles Davis was an American jazz musician, composer and band leader. He is considered one of the most important and influential jazz musicians of all time. He began his career in the 1940s and continued to play and record until his death in 1991. He played in many different styles of jazz, including bebop, cool jazz, hard bop, modal jazz and jazz fusion.
He was also an innovator in the use of electricity in jazz and played a key role in the emergence of jazz fusion in the 1960s and 1970s. He has recorded over 60 albums as a leader and has played with many famous musicians, including John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter and Herbie Hancock.
The album
“Birth of the Cool” is a 1957 album by Miles Davis that collects recordings made between 1949 and 1950. It is considered one of the most important albums in the history of modern jazz, as it helped popularise a quieter, more melodic style of jazz known as “cool jazz”.
The album consists of 12 tracks, all written or co-written by Davis, and recorded with an ensemble of musicians who were called “The Birth of the Cool Band”. The group was made up of some of the best jazz musicians of the time, such as Gerry Mulligan, Lee Konitz, John Lewis and Max Roach. The arrangements are written by Gil Evans, who also played trumpet on the album.
The songs on the album are characterised by more prominent double bass and piano lines, and softer, more melodic sounds, in contrast to the aggression and energy of bebop, which was the dominant form of jazz at the time.
“Birth of the Cool” was a critical success on its release, but was not a great commercial success at the time. However, over the years it has become one of the most celebrated albums in the history of modern jazz and has had a considerable influence on many musicians in jazz and music in general.
The cover of Miles Davis' “Birth of the Cool” album is a photograph by William Claxton, taken in 1949. This photograph has become famous for its depiction of the jazz scene of the time, with relaxed and elegant jazz musicians, including Miles Davis himself.
Boplicity
Boplicity is a jazz piece composed by Cleo Henry and included in Miles Davis' 1949 album “Birth of the Cool”. The song was first recorded in 1949 by “The Birth of the Cool Band” led by Miles Davis.
The song is characterised by a simple, melodious melody that is played to a swinging rhythm. It features a trumpet section by Miles Davis which is accompanied by saxophone, trombone and wind sections. The song is also marked by a complex arrangement and rich harmonies that have been used to create a calm and melodic atmosphere.
Boplicity is considered one of the most representative pieces on the “Birth of the Cool” album and in Miles Davis' musical aesthetic. It was also very influential in the development of the “cool jazz” style that developed in the 1950s and became a dominant style in modern jazz.
Where to listen Birth of the Cool ?
- Listen Birth of the Cool on Spotify
- Listen Birth of the Cool on Deezer
- Listen Birth of the Cool on Youtube