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3 Shades of Blue: Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Bill Evans, and the Lost Empire of Cool

Tags: #music #jazz #biography #history #culture #race #addiction #creativity #collaboration #innovation

Authors: James Kaplan

Overview

My book, Three Shades of Blue, is a deep dive into the lives and music of three jazz giants: Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Bill Evans. These musicians, born in the midst of the Jim Crow era, found an outlet for their feelings and aspirations in a musical genre considered by white America (at the time of its emergence) as lower-class, even dangerous. As I explore the creative development of each man and the complex relationships they had with each other and with other musicians of their era, you’ll learn how they navigated a world of addiction, racism, commercialism, and artistic ambition. I focus on the years between 1942 and 1967, what I call the golden age of bebop and hard bop, culminating in the creation of Davis’s groundbreaking album Kind of Blue. You’ll learn the fascinating backstory of how the three musical geniuses who made that record converged, how they collaborated, and how they went on to make musical history on their own, in very different ways. And as I tell their stories, you’ll also learn about the seismic changes going on in the music itself as it moved away from the danceability of the Swing Era to the intellectually demanding and viscerally thrilling improvisational language of bebop, then toward the harmonic freedom of modality, the precursor to “free jazz.” You’ll get insights into how jazz evolved from a popular art form into an art music, losing much of its audience in the process, becoming a niche, marginalized music while rock ‘n roll became the dominant popular genre. As you journey with me, you’ll discover how these three musicians influenced and challenged each other, how their personal struggles shaped their music, and how their legacy continues to inspire musicians and music lovers to this day.

Book Outline

1. Prologue

Jazz is a powerful and influential musical genre that originated in the United States and has had a profound impact on music and culture worldwide. It emerged as a unique art form, blending diverse ethnic influences into a compelling expression of creativity.

Key concept: I speak of jazz as an awesome thing. An imperative, an empire. As America’s only native art form, one that boiled forth from a gumbo of ethnic musics in late-nineteenth-century New Orleans and coursed up rivers and railroads and blue highways to Oklahoma City and Kansas City and St. Louis and Chicago and New York City, irresistibly, as young men and women, Black then (very quickly) white, became transfixed by its power and seized on it as an unprecedented form of artistic expression.

2. Prelude

The making of “Kind of Blue” is a story of the convergence of three musical geniuses—Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Bill Evans—who, through a spontaneous and improvisational process, created a masterpiece of jazz that continues to resonate with music lovers.

Key concept: March 2 and April 22: three tunes recorded on the first date (“So What,” “Freddie Freeloader,” and “Blue in Green”), two on the second (“All Blues” and “Flamenco Sketches”). Every complete take but one (“Flamenco Sketches”) was a first take, the process similar, as Evans later wrote in the LP’s liner notes, to a genre of Japanese visual art in which black watercolor is applied spontaneously to a thin stretched parchment, with no unnatural or interrupted strokes possible, Miles’s cherished ideal of spontaneity achieved.

3. The Blue Trumpet

Miles Davis was a complex figure known for his musical innovation and his carefully cultivated public persona. He was a master of self-promotion and used visual elements, including fashion and stage presence, to enhance his mystique.

Key concept: He famously turned his back to his audiences, both while playing and laying out.

4. Dentist’s Son

Miles Davis’s upbringing in a middle-class Black family in East St. Louis had a profound impact on his life and music. His father was a successful dentist and his mother had artistic talent and an appreciation for fashion and style, influences that shaped Miles’s personality and musical aesthetics. He began playing trumpet at a young age and quickly demonstrated a natural talent for music.

Key concept: My mother was a beautiful woman. She had a whole lot of style, with an East Indian, Carmen McRae look, and dark, nut-brown, smooth skin. High cheekbones and Indian-like hair. Big beautiful eyes. Me and my brother Vernon looked like her. She had mink coats, diamonds; she was a very glamorous woman who was into all kinds of hats and things. . . . . She always dressed to kill. I got my looks from my mother and also my love of clothes and sense of style. I guess you could say I got whatever artistic talent I have from her also.

5. It Must Be Heard with the Brain and Felt with the Soul

The emergence of bebop in the 1940s marked a significant shift in the jazz world, moving from dance-oriented swing music to a more improvisational and complex style that demanded attentive listening.

Key concept: “We had finally come through to an age of concerts,” Dizzy Gillespie said.

6. Walking the Bar

John Coltrane’s early career was marked by a deep immersion in bebop and a struggle to find his own voice on the saxophone. While he admired Charlie Parker, he also sought to develop his own musical identity. His journey included playing in various bands, including Dizzy Gillespie’s big band and the R&B-oriented groups of Joe Webb, King Kolax, and Earl Bostic.

Key concept: “Dancers,” Dizzy wrote, “had to hear those four solid beats and could care less about the more esoteric aspects, the beautiful advanced harmonies and rhythms we played and our virtuosity, as long as they could dance.”

7. Junkie Time

Miles Davis’s early success was followed by a period of personal and professional struggles, largely due to his heroin addiction. The allure of the drug and the pressures of the jazz world led him down a dark path that threatened to derail his career.

Key concept: Miles started by just snorting heroin and cocaine now and then—chipping, in street parlance—but soon the now and the then got closer together.

8. Take Off

Despite his struggles with addiction, Miles Davis’s talent and potential were recognized by many, including the record producer Bob Weinstock, who signed him to his new label, Prestige, in 1951.

Key concept: “Miles, you couldn’t even hear him past the reed section.”

9. Left-Handed Pianist

Bill Evans’s unique approach to jazz piano was rooted in his classical training and his intuitive understanding of harmony and rhythm. He developed a distinctive style characterized by lyrical melodies, complex harmonies, and a delicate touch.

Key concept: “Miles’s musical gift,” the pianist and bandleader Jon Batiste told me, “is understanding the essence of what something is, and being able to execute that on his horn. And his conceptual gift is being able to understand how that will be viewed in the future, and also how to assemble the right people to create this essence.

10. Now’s the Time

Thelonious Monk was a highly influential pianist and composer whose unique style and unconventional approach to harmony and rhythm had a profound impact on Miles Davis and other jazz musicians. Monk’s music, often characterized by angular melodies and dissonant harmonies, challenged traditional notions of what jazz should sound like.

Key concept: In his side of the story, Miles gave himself a more active role: I used to ask Monk, every fucking night, to play “ ’Round About Midnight” [sic]. I’d say, “How’d I play it?,” because he wrote it, right? And he’d say, “You didn’t play it right.

11. Why He Picked Me, I Don’t Know

The collaboration between Miles Davis and Bill Evans marked a turning point in both their careers. Evans brought a new level of harmonic sophistication and lyrical sensibility to Davis’s music, while Davis’s innovative approach to rhythm and space pushed Evans to explore new musical territories.

Key concept: “I had always had a great respect for Miles Davis,” he said some years later. “And when he asked me to join him I realized that I had to revise my views about my own playing. If I continued to feel inadequate as a pianist, it would be to deny my respect for Davis. So I began to accept the position in which I had been placed.”

12. I Began to Accept the Position in Which I Had Been Placed

The tumultuous relationship between Miles Davis and John Coltrane reached a breaking point when Davis fired Coltrane in 1957. However, Coltrane’s subsequent work with Thelonious Monk proved to be a transformative experience, leading him to kick his heroin addiction and develop his own unique musical voice.

Key concept: “You can come play with me anytime,” Monk is said to have said—and as we’ll see, there is good reason to believe that he actually said it.

13. Fucking Up the Blues

The music produced by the Miles Davis Sextet in the late 1950s, particularly the album Kind of Blue, was both groundbreaking and controversial. Critics and audiences were divided on the band’s new direction, with some praising its originality and others finding it too subdued or lacking in swing.

Key concept: “Miles seems to be limiting himself more and more all the time . . . playing within a smaller and smaller limit all the time, taking no chances at all.”

14. Outside of Time

The impact of Ornette Coleman’s arrival on the jazz scene in 1959 cannot be overstated. His music, often labeled “free jazz,” challenged the fundamental conventions of harmony, rhythm, and melody, provoking strong reactions from both musicians and audiences. The controversy surrounding Coleman’s music reflects the ongoing tension in jazz between tradition and innovation.

Key concept: The word “timeless” has become a cliché, a selling tool for luxury goods. And yet Kind of Blue is a timeless album, and “So What” arguably its signature number.

15. Annus Mirabilis

The year 1959 was a watershed moment in jazz history, marked by significant deaths, the emergence of new styles, and a growing awareness of the music’s cultural significance. It was a time of both transition and transformation, as jazz continued to evolve and adapt to the changing times.

Key concept: “People were expecting so much from me,” he said. “It was Sonny Rollins, Sonny Rollins, Sonny Rollins. Elvin Jones and I played one job in particular, and I didn’t give the people what they needed, what they wanted to hear.

16. After

In the 1960s and beyond, Miles Davis continued to push the boundaries of jazz, exploring new sounds and incorporating elements of rock, funk, and electronic music. His later work, often labeled “fusion,” was both commercially successful and artistically controversial, alienating some longtime fans while attracting a new generation of listeners.

Key concept: “He was, by his own estimation, ‘a hermit.’ His one-year marriage to Betty Mabry had foundered on the shoals of his disapproval and boredom: he came to see her as “a high-class groupie, who was very talented but . . . didn’t believe in her own talent.

Essential Questions

1. How did the evolution of jazz music during the mid-twentieth century reflect broader cultural and social changes in America?

The evolution of jazz during this period was marked by a shift from dance-oriented swing music to a more complex and improvisational style known as bebop. Bebop’s intricate harmonies, rapid tempos, and virtuosic solos demanded a different kind of listening, shifting the focus from the dance floor to the bandstand. The rise of bebop coincided with the decline of the big bands, the rise of smaller combos, and the emergence of a new generation of Black musicians eager to challenge musical conventions. This shift from dance to concert music was a major cultural shift, reflecting changes in American society and the growing influence of Black culture.

2. How did the individual personalities and creative journeys of Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Bill Evans shape the evolution of jazz?

The book emphasizes the central role of individual creativity and innovation in jazz. Each of the three artists—Davis, Coltrane, and Evans—followed distinct paths in their pursuit of musical expression. Davis was a master of innovation, constantly seeking new sounds and challenging musical boundaries. Coltrane was a relentless explorer, pushing the limits of the saxophone with his “sheets of sound” and modal improvisations. Evans, with his classical training and introspective nature, brought a new level of harmonic sophistication and lyrical sensibility to jazz. Their stories demonstrate that jazz is a dynamic art form driven by the individual creativity of its practitioners.

3. How did the contrasting personalities and public personas of the three musicians reflect the complexities of artistic expression in jazz?

Miles Davis was a master of self-promotion and image-making. He cultivated an air of mystery and aloofness, often turning his back on the audience and refusing to announce tunes. He used visual elements, including fashion and stage presence, to enhance his mystique. Coltrane, on the other hand, was a deeply spiritual and introspective musician who often played with his eyes closed, seemingly oblivious to the outside world. Evans, with his horn-rimmed glasses and scholarly demeanor, projected an image of quiet intellectualism. Their contrasting personalities and public personas reflect the diversity of approaches to artistic expression in jazz, and highlight how each crafted a distinct artistic identity.

4. How did heroin addiction impact the lives and careers of the three musicians?

Heroin addiction was a pervasive problem in the jazz world during the mid-twentieth century, and each of the three musicians struggled with the drug. Davis eventually overcame his addiction, but the years he spent as a junkie took a heavy toll on his health and career. Coltrane also battled heroin addiction, eventually kicking the habit cold turkey with the help of his wife, Naima. Evans struggled with addiction for much of his life, and it ultimately contributed to his premature death. Their stories highlight the destructive nature of addiction and the challenges faced by musicians in a culture where drug use was often seen as a badge of honor or a path to artistic expression.

Key Takeaways

1. Constraint can be a catalyst for creativity.

Jazz, despite its improvisational nature, operates within a framework of established forms and conventions. The musicians I write about, especially Davis, embraced these constraints while pushing boundaries and exploring new possibilities. Davis’s exploration of modal jazz, with its emphasis on scales rather than chord progressions, demonstrates how constraint can foster creativity by providing a framework for improvisation.

Practical Application:

In the development of AI music composition systems, consider the role of constraint and freedom in artistic expression. Just as Miles Davis embraced constraint through modal jazz and later pushed boundaries with fusion, AI systems can be designed to operate within specific parameters while allowing for creative exploration and experimentation.

2. The power of restraint and “less is more” in artistic innovation.

As Davis moved away from the harmonically dense bebop of his early years, he embraced a less-is-more aesthetic, seeking to create a sound that was spacious, melodic, and emotionally evocative. He often played with a Harmon mute, which produced a soft, intimate tone, and encouraged his musicians to use fewer notes and leave more space between their solos. This minimalist approach, evident in “Kind of Blue” and his later work, demonstrates the power of restraint and simplicity in artistic expression.

Practical Application:

In product design, the principle of less is more can be applied to creating interfaces and experiences that are user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing. Just as Davis sought to create a sound that was “not too thick,” designers can strive to create products that are elegant and minimalist, focusing on essential features and functionalities.

3. Collaboration is essential to achieving artistic excellence.

Miles Davis, a masterful bandleader, understood the importance of collaboration and assembling the right team to bring his musical vision to life. He often chose musicians with contrasting styles and personalities, creating a dynamic interplay that pushed each player to new heights. The success of his various quintets and sextets demonstrates the power of collaboration in achieving artistic excellence.

Practical Application:

In team management, consider the importance of assembling a team with diverse skills and perspectives. Just as Davis assembled musicians with contrasting styles to create a unique and dynamic sound, effective teams often benefit from a mix of personalities and approaches to problem-solving.

Suggested Deep Dive

Chapter: Outside of Time

This chapter provides a nuanced exploration of the evolution of jazz in the late 1950s, a pivotal period that saw the emergence of new styles and influences, including modal jazz and free jazz. This is particularly relevant to AI and technology as it highlights the parallel evolution of music and technology, and the potential for AI to explore new musical landscapes.

Memorable Quotes

Prologue. 14

I speak of jazz as an awesome thing. An imperative, an empire. As America’s only native art form, one that boiled forth from a gumbo of ethnic musics in late-nineteenth-century New Orleans and coursed up rivers and railroads and blue highways to Oklahoma City and Kansas City and St. Louis and Chicago and New York City, irresistibly, as young men and women, Black then (very quickly) white, became transfixed by its power and seized on it as an unprecedented form of artistic expression.

Prologue. 15

Not antique, not anodyne, not forbiddingly difficult, and viscerally thrilling.

Dentist’s Son. 38

Well, he was a bad little dude then; he really could play, even as a kid.

It Must Be Heard with the Brain and Felt with the Soul. 95

“I only write in one voice. I want to have structure. I want to write orchestral scores.”

Fucking Up the Blues. 283

The resulting pictures lack the complex composition and textures of ordinary painting, but it is said that those who see will find something captured that escapes explanation.

Comparative Analysis

“3 Shades of Blue” stands apart from other jazz biographies by focusing on a specific period in jazz history—what I consider its golden age—and by tracing the interconnected journeys of three musical giants: Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Bill Evans. Unlike broader jazz histories, like Ted Gioia’s “The History of Jazz” or Gary Giddins’s “Visions of Jazz,” my book delves deeply into the lives and musical development of these three artists, highlighting their unique contributions to the genre and how their personal struggles and triumphs shaped their artistic expressions. While other biographies, such as Ashley Kahn’s “Kind of Blue,” focus on a specific album or period, “3 Shades of Blue” offers a more expansive narrative, tracing the evolution of each musician’s style and the evolution of the music itself, from bebop to cool jazz to modal jazz and beyond. It offers a unique perspective on the complex interplay of race, addiction, and artistic brilliance in the jazz world.

Reflection

“3 Shades of Blue” offers a compelling and nuanced portrait of three immensely talented musicians. It’s important to note that while I strive to present a balanced and truthful account, there are inherent limitations in biographical writing, especially when relying on recollections and personal accounts. For example, Miles’s accounts of his struggles with addiction and his relationships, often presented with bravado and self-aggrandizement in his memoir, are at times difficult to reconcile with other perspectives. It’s also essential to acknowledge that jazz, like all art forms, is subjective, and interpretations of its meaning and value can vary widely. While I argue for the importance of bebop and hard bop, and for the genius of Davis, Coltrane, and Evans, others may hold different views. Ultimately, the book aims to illuminate the complexities of their lives and music, and to celebrate their enduring contribution to a uniquely American art form.

Flashcards

What is Jazz?

An influential music genre and uniquely American art form that emerged in New Orleans in the late 19th century, blending African and European musical traditions.

What is Bebop?

A style of jazz that emerged in the 1940s, characterized by complex harmonies, rapid tempos, and virtuosic improvisation.

What is Cool Jazz?

A style of jazz that emerged in the late 1940s and early 1950s, characterized by a more relaxed tempo and a focus on melody and harmony rather than on virtuosic improvisation.

What is Modal Jazz?

A style of jazz that emerged in the mid-1950s, characterized by the use of modes, or scales, as the basis for improvisation, rather than on chord progressions.

What is Free Jazz?

A style of jazz that emerged in the late 1950s, characterized by a rejection of traditional harmonic and rhythmic structures, and a focus on collective improvisation and individual expression.

What is Fusion?

A style of jazz that emerged in the late 1960s and early 1970s, blending elements of jazz with rock, funk, and other genres.

Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Bill Evans.

What is “Kind of Blue”?

A groundbreaking 1959 jazz album by Miles Davis, considered a masterpiece of modal jazz.

What are “Sheets of Sound”?

A term coined by jazz critic Ira Gitler to describe John Coltrane’s rapid-fire improvisational style, characterized by a dense and continuous flow of notes.

What is Free Improvisation?

A style of improvisation in which musicians play “outside” the traditional harmonic and rhythmic structures of a song.