CiTR

This rather informal jam-type date was done just before Miles Davis formed his "first great quintet" and it features a newly healthy and strong Miles Davis just at the beginning of rise to Jazz stardom. It's an ad-hoc date with vibist Milt Jackson as the co-star. Miles had recorded with Milt on the legendary "Bags' Groove" date on Christmas Eve in 1954 and wanted to do more with Milt. Jackie McLean on alto was a Miles Davis protege and Miles opted to record two of McLean's compositions as well as present him on the front line. The second two pieces are without McLean who left the studio. The others involved along with Davis, Jackson and McLean are pianist Ray Bryant (a newcomer to New York at that time), bassist Percy Heath (a Davis favou
rite) and drummer Arthur Taylor. The date for all it's informalness is a perfect date with no gratuitous or uninspired playing and is a tribute to Miles, Milt, Jackie, Ray, Percy and Art.