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Miles’ First Masterpiece: Birth of the Cool
Season 12 · Episode 17

Miles’ First Masterpiece: Birth of the Cool

You'll Hear It · Peter Martin & Adam Maness

June 2, 20251h 14m

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Show Notes

Before Kind of Blue, a 21-year-old Miles Davis was already reshaping jazz with Birth of the Cool. In this episode, we explore how Miles teamed up with arranger Gil Evans and a chamber-like nonet to craft a sound full of singable melodies, tightly arranged horns, and forward-thinking restraint. With French horn in the mix, Gerry Mulligan and John Lewis’ arranging touch, and Lee Konitz’s lyrical solos, we unpack why this album – recorded in 1949-1950 and released years later – still lives up to its name.

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Topics

Miles Davis Birth of the Cool West Coast Jazz Bebop Jazz History Young Miles Davis Birth of the Cool Deep Dive Miles Davis Early Years Iconic Jazz Albums John Lewis Gerry Mulligan Gil Evans Charlie Parker