Read a great post today from a cool blog called Presentation Zen. The crux of the writer's post was the Zen-like elements of Kind of Blue: Miles Davis' iconic album. No arguments here-that album one of the greatest pieces of recorded music ever with no apparent wasted notes and brilliant use of space. However what resonated with me on an even greater level were some of the comments made by Herbie Hancock in the video above. Hancock made the statement that one of the reasons Miles music was so brilliant, and in particular this work, was Miles trusting that by using stylistically different musicians he'd get an element of discovery in the music, provided that the musicians had honesty in their approach to playing. That was my transcendent moment in related post and video-that and Kind of Blue shares the same birth year as I do(1959).
This had always been one of my favorite recordings of all time. It and Miles music moved me so deeply, I even named my son Kevin after him (Kevin Miles) in honor and tribute of this master musician/artist . While I never had the privilege of hearing Miles in person I did have the privilege of hearing several of the musicians (John McLaughlin, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock) that played with Miles live and even converse with some of them (Dave Holland-bassist). I never bothered talking to Dave about what it was like to play with Miles because that question would have been so superfluous-it was too obvious that playing with him affected each of these men in a profound and deep way. It was also obvious that anyone that Miles chose to play with him was destined to be an influential musician in their own right. Miles didn't play with any light-weights. He had an impeccable sense for musical talent and was probably paying forward the opportunity to gifted young musicians like Charlie Parker did with him in the early 40's when Miles was new on the scene. So first a legendary sax player used Miles and his trumpet and later on and in particular on Kind of Blue-Miles used the youngbloods John Coltrane and Cannonball Adderly.
Perhaps the thing I love so much about jazz is the conversation that can and does take place when musicians with the right ears and fingers are together. I have heard more great jazz performers/performances than I can recall having grown up in NYC and run a jazz club when I was a teenager. The things that always got me was the humanity of the music especially when 2 or more of the musicians would "converse" with their instruments and improvisation.
I was introduced to Miles by a big fan of his who became my jazz mentor. Noteably he had an interesting albeit hurtful experience with Miles at a NYC jazz club. Marty (my friend) was using the rest room during a break between sets. It just so happened that Miles was too. My friend got a chance to say hi to Miles. He said,"Mr. Davis I just want to say how much your music means to me." Miles responded with, "F**k off kid." Of course my friend was devastated. Why am I including this note after all my accolades above? Well, I'm certainly not apologizing for Miles. He had a lot of pain in his life and obviously some of it produced bitterness. Also I'm a firm believer that if you really love someone's art or music it's best not to get to close to them. Many artists are very insecure and unhappy. I can't speak for Miles if those were definitely factors but I do know that much of his later music had a lot of blazing fire in it. So maybe there is some credence to my supposition. Another point is people are full of conflict in their lives, so anyone is capable of doing both good and bad and is not always as in control as they would like to be. I believe most artists would prefer we connect with them via their art, rather than ask them to explain or amplify their work. Much of the substance of art is from very deep and sometimes murky places within the artists' soul, a very subliminal element which is not easily explained and perhaps not fully understood by the creator of the work either.
In honesty I'd have to say I've met more insecure fragile ego types than the really "together" with their art types. The latter are far more enjoyable and left me with more hope. The summit is always the highest and narrowest point on the mountain. Hope you all have a great and peaceful new year! Maybe "Kind of Blue" can help bring some musical meaning into it for you.
Addendums: Instead of resolutions how about axes to grind laid to rest? First one is Herbie Hancock. For years I've harbored a grudge that resulted from a great show I saw at Brooklyn College with Herbie as Headhunter...er-headliner(was in the Headhunters days though) and the final incarnation of Mahavishnu Orchestra featuring founder John McLaughlin. To make a long story short or make the sharp axe duller if you will, McLaughlin played a screaming set with some wild synthesizer guitar rig feeding his guitar signal into a bank of 6 Moogs. He even did a rendition of Star Spangle Banner ala Jimi on crack. We were all amped about Herbie killing it and maybe bringing out his old Miles' band-mate John for some jamming. In fact after 1st song he said he'd like to bring out a special friend for us. We were all psyched knowing it'd be McLauglin-then he says, "it's my rhythm machine..." Anti-climax, axe sharpened thank you very much! OK Herbie letting you off for that one based on your career of much stellar musicianship, writing and the cool things you said in the Kind of Blue tribute video. I know very big of me... 
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Yes Andy. One of the wrongs in life are the different standards we use on
different categories of people and different circumstances. Why? All people
were born naked. It is this human conflict that fuels art. Most of the great
bands had dischord at their hearts causing tension which resulted in edge
and perhaps enhanced focus-The Beatles a prime example. Happy and healthy
new year to you as well.
Nice point about people being capable of good and bad things. I think we need to be more cognizant of that when dealing with people. We should not automatically judge a person based on one moment of bad behavior. After all, we are capable of similar behavior ourselves.
Happy new year Mark!
Yes Andy. One of the wrongs in life are the different standards we use on
different categories of people and different circumstances. Why? All people
were born naked. It is this human conflict that fuels art. Most of the great
bands had dischord at their hearts causing tension which resulted in edge
and perhaps enhanced focus-The Beatles a prime example. Happy and healthy
new year to you as well.
Nice point about people being capable of good and bad things. I think we need to be more cognizant of that when dealing with people. We should not automatically judge a person based on one moment of bad behavior. After all, we are capable of similar behavior ourselves.
Happy new year Mark!