Miles Davis’ quintet was formed in 1955 and is widely regarded as one of the greatest combos in jazz history. Each of its members was an individual creative force that could have easily been a leader.
'Philly Joe Jones and Red Garland were the same age', explained Miles in his autobiography, 'about three years older than I was. John Coltrane and I were born in the same year, with me being a little older. Paul Chambers was the baby in the group, being only twenty, but he was playing like he had been around forever. And so was Red; he was giving me that Ahmad Jamal light touch, and a little bit of Erroll Garner, along with his own shit up in all of that. So, everything was happening'.
This quintet - like many other great bands composed of important figures - didn’t last long despite Miles’ best attempts to keep it together. Like its followers "Steamin’", "Workin’" and "Relaxin’", "Cookin’" is the product of two massively productive recording sessions during May and October of 1956. Miles’ 1953 quartet versions of both "Tune Up" and "When Lights Are Low" have been added here as a bonus.
'Philly Joe Jones and Red Garland were the same age', explained Miles in his autobiography, 'about three years older than I was. John Coltrane and I were born in the same year, with me being a little older. Paul Chambers was the baby in the group, being only twenty, but he was playing like he had been around forever. And so was Red; he was giving me that Ahmad Jamal light touch, and a little bit of Erroll Garner, along with his own shit up in all of that. So, everything was happening'.
This quintet - like many other great bands composed of important figures - didn’t last long despite Miles’ best attempts to keep it together. Like its followers "Steamin’", "Workin’" and "Relaxin’", "Cookin’" is the product of two massively productive recording sessions during May and October of 1956. Miles’ 1953 quartet versions of both "Tune Up" and "When Lights Are Low" have been added here as a bonus.