Pinnacle of Modal Jazz

Kind of Blue (1959) by Miles Davis

It's been 52 years since the release of Miles Davis' great album, Kind of Blue. We can't let the anniversary of such a Jazz classic go uncelebrated. Although it isn't my favorite record, it certainly is one of my favorites. Kind of Blue has often been called the greatest jazz album ever. I think that is a fair claim.

For those jazz enthusiasts who like dividing up the genre into "Ages", Kind of Blue and the modal style that it represents marks the twilight years of the "Silver Age" which started with the development of Bebop in the mid-'40s and ends with the passing of John Coltrane in 1967. I see jazz history as a smoother continuity than the "Ages" paradigm suggests. Nevertheless, it is fair to say that the modal style is a distinct part of the post-Swing jazz dialectic and Kind of Blue makes an early and powerful aesthetic statement that fully initiates this era of jazz experimentation.



Miles Davis' So What is the opening track to Kind of Blue


So let's listen to some music. ;-)


The original album is only around 45 minutes long and has 5 tracks. Here's a performance of Track 1: So What.

Here's Track 3: Blue in Green. This is my favorite piece off the album. I've listened to it countless times and never get tired of hearing it again.

In conclusion, if you possess only one jazz album, this is probably the one to own.

Enjoy!!!