5 STARS DOWNBEAT MAGAZINE

Although Miles Ahead was Miles Davis’ first recording with the Gil Evans Orchestra, it was certainly not Evans and Davis’ first collaboration. They had known and respected each other since the mid-forties and in 1948-49 they were the two primary architects behind the Birth of the Cool, with respect to both the perennial nonet album and the “cool” sound which became associated with it and which developed into a new jazz style. Gil and Miles’ 1948-49 recordings both in the studio and broadcasted live from the Royal Roost in New York are among the true jewels of jazz history. The same can be said about Miles Ahead, a completely refined product in which the arrangements, the repertoire and the mood of every improvisation were carefully selected. This edition utilizes a rare French cover originally issued on the Fontana label.

PERSONNEL:

MILES DAVIS, flugelhorn

With THE GIL EVANS ORCHESTRA:

Bernie Glow, Ernie Royal, Louis Mucci, Taft Jordan, John Carisi (tp),

Frank Rehak, Jimmy Cleveland, Joe Bennett (tb), Tom Mitchell (b-tb),

Willie Ruff, Jimmy Buffington, Tony Miranda (fhr), Bill Barber (tu),

Lee Konitz (as), Danny Bank (b-cl), Romeo Penque, Sid Cooper (cl, fl),

Gil Evans, Wynton Kelly (p), Paul Chambers (b), Art Taylor (d),

Gil Evans (arr, cond).

New York, May 6-27, 1957.