Miles Davis - So What - The Robert Herridge Theater, New York - April 2, 1959

[@jimdixon3470]

This was such a weird moment in the history of the United State. In 1959, Miles is at the top of his game, recording for the most important U.S. record label, in the best-sounding studios, laying down music that was at the very pinnacle of post-war modernism...the pinnacle not only in the context of music, but in the context of all the arts. He is being broadcast on the CBS television network into millions of homes...nothing is more sophisticated than Miles in American culture, and the guy can't even go to a drug store lunch counter in most cities and order a grilled cheese sandwich! We may have a long way to go yet, but jeez, this country in 1959 had, uh....a much longer way to go.

[@trushinitas]

Every time i'm watching these old Miles Davis videos i can't stop thinking about that!

[@WhizMitchell]

Absolutely agree. You made a valid point. In the jazz music and entertainment world in most cases he was treated kind of like royalty but to the normal world circa 1959, they let him know who he was, as he dealt with egregious racism and had severe limitations.

[@ericdejarlais8348]

As good as Miles is, and he is great, all does is set the stage for Coltrane. In less than 2 minutes, Coltrane asserts his technical dominance while Miles smokes a cigarette.

[@chrisgore5835]

Hmmmm

[@Brian4hand]

@@ericdejarlais8348it’s two versions of modernism not Coltrane being just ‘better’ …imho…..

[@Breakbeats92.5]

Miles providing the ice while John Coltrane played the fire! Brilliant I tell you.

[@minichanz]

I love this comment

[@Brian4hand]

This guy gets it

[@mkf628]

trane with the bread 🍞miles with the butter🧈

[@jeremystobingham2362]

@@mkf628 "Don't play the butter notes!" lol

[@mkf628]

@@jeremystobingham2362 oops!

[@marsharupe8112]

If I could travel back in time for a day, this is where I would want to go . . .

[@jdez095]

funny thing is if you went back to see this, they would have played a completely different masterpiece as it was all improv lol. #AlternativeUniverseJoke

[@castinmeadows6956]

@@jdez095 !!

[@jazzorphin]

Take me with you, please !!!!

[@MarkTarmannPianoCheck_it_out]

​@@jdez095 that makes absolutely no sense. if he went back to this TV session and heard this, he would hear this live version with Kelly on piano . If he went back to the original session in the studio with Evans on piano, he would hear that version. If he went back to Munich in 1959 he'd hear that version. You don't know wtf you're talking about. stupid joke.

[@jfs70ss]

I personally would go back to Jerusalem 1 BC and see this man they talked about healing the sick, walking on water, turning water into wine. Then seeing him crucified and then rising from the dead. This would possibly be second. Just my personal thoughts...

[@terrellstephen6309]

Thank God. I cant believe i found this on the 2nd of April 2023 and am watching it exactly 64 years later. Simply Awesome. A performance of a Lifetime.

[@jfs70ss]

Watching this in April of 2024 65 years later. I wouldn't be born until two years later..!! LOL Makes you appreciate life. I'm guessing Ron Carter was one of the few who didn't smoke or drink as he's still alive and all there mentally. The Great Nat King Cole comes to mind. He was said to have smoked THREE PACKS a day...!! Crazy...!! I'm just so glad they left us their legacies...!! Peace from the SF Bay Area Ca.

[@fryelee11]

Thank God someone was smart enough to preserve this. I've only seen this video about 50 times and every time I watch it, it still leaves me in ah.

[@aydensimpson6337]

In awe, not in ah

[@williamwallace5857]

in 'ah' ??

[@markfarrington5183]

Well...that, too.@@williamwallace5857

[@williamwallace5857]

Thank who ??

[@sonyesq]

I want to buy in ah now

[@sammyscellojourney3851]

100 years from now people will be watching this video in awe!!!! as I am now....

[@dpaulku]

+athruaathrua Indeed... and they'll be shocked! Shocked I say... to see that there were times off the mic where musicians actually smoked cigarettes! :o) A stellar line up to be sure.

[@stephenstrings]

+Dave K Or rather , 100 years from now , people will be shocked that the stale , live for far too long , risk averse , kill joy fascists that direct opinion now ever came to ascendancy. Sure smoking can shorten life but it is cool and a part of culture.

[@renelaplanche7201]

Ceux qui ont été dans la salle Sur ,un grand +dans les souvenirs

[@demetriussherman476]

@@dpaulku "I am shocked, shocked, that such jazz is going on in Casablanca!" "Here is your Miles Davis tickets, you ordered" "Oh hank you very much."

[@larsthorwald56]

As we listen to Bach. Yes.

[@waveatthelighteveryone5899]

Play this before going into war and you'll lose the motivation to fight, turn around and head back home. This is simply brilliant!

[@paulturnet4572]

Brilliantly Put, mind if I plagiarize it ?

[@arsenalfeet]

the coolness of miles davis combined with the smoothness and power of coltrane, best jazz piece ever.

[@HEAD3455]

no denying that

[@ralphmurray3206]

That upright bass deserves total respect. Davis and Coltrane is off the hook. Best jazz ever.

[@paulturnet4572]

Paul Chambers, WALKING THE ABSOLUTE HELL OUT OF THAT BASS, SHOWING IT NO MERCY AT ALL !!!

[@nassar57]

Paul Chambers died young.

[@sirjer73]

​@nassar57 sad but true. Paul Chambers was an absolute boss!!! His solos he did with the bow was incredible!!

[@strollinwitu670]

You mean Mr. P.C.? The “Tale of the Fingers?”

[@daleyokuwa9334]

Miles Davis and John Coltrane what a combination of genius playing Jazz

[@malbug]

One of the best live performances of any song, ever...

[@Avatargodbody777]

agreed! and the way coltrane comes in mad smooth! they are having a conversation so soomth

[@robertperrella4194]

r.i.p. jimmy cobb-one of the finest jazz drummers of all time !!!!!!!!!!!!!.....awesome video !!!!!

[@ChristianFabris]

The introduction by Robert Herridge makes what follows even more special and enjoyable.... everything seems perfect!

[@robertlepper5460]

Spoils it

[@SELAHPAUSE]

@@robertlepper5460😂😂😂

[@smallbuj7605]

I don't think Coltrane has ever been surpassed. God!!! What a talented player.

[@raulsouza5866]

Coltrane is like Hendrix or Baden Powell, some musicians come to reinvent their instrument and leave us astonished. Miles himself being the creative force that he was, never reinvented the trumpet like these guys imo (Miles played his ass off, but he had other talents I think, specially composing and knowing how to gather the right people for the right project)

[@666rivers]

@@raulsouza5866 I'm neither a Jazz nor a Trumpet expert, I just appreciate some of the more obvious players. Miles has always struck me as having an underscored muted tone, suggesting in my opinion a muscular restraint of the deepest anger, such that I can always pick him out of a group (audio format)- but it's always implicit he will be present. Is that something Miles came up with? Did he have a master to study under when he was younger? I've read a decent book on Monk, several on Coltrane- some better than others: Do you or anybody reading this have a Miles Davis book they would recommend? (TIA)

[@raulsouza5866]

@@666rivers man, read the autobiography of miles, he gives a lot of insights on his music and jazz overall, super recommended.

[@PepperWilliams_songcovers]

Your sentence needs a little correction: "Coltrane has NEVER been surpassed".❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ Maybe in the year 3424?

[@Barnyard140]

Miles Davis - what a legend. Who else can take a smoke break in the middle of a song at 4:33 while John fucking Coltrane plays a solo!

[@osmosisjazz152]

Hard to believe that this song is nearly 60 years old!

[@marlonperryman7129]

Why aren't there shows like this anymore. It cool we still have this.

[@jamesm.3967]

It swings man, that bass line. My God.

[@zanderdiasdude]

Anyone that enjoys "Kind of blue" or the music of Davis should read the book "kind of blue. The making of a masterpiece" by Ashley Kahn. It's a beautifully written book on the album, Davis, and the band as a whole, and an intricate look on the music

[@jasonnstegall]

You know, the whole Kind Of Blue was as much as a challenge to play for all involved because of the conception of the music involved -- even Miles knew that those 5 pieces he presented to the sextet would also be challenging himself. But the one person who really had to find a way to discipline himself yet be true to his own way of expressing himself was Coltrane, and I think he did a brilliant job -- so much so, it affected the rest of his life/career in terms of how he both composed his own tunes and how he improvised.

[@raycallender5066]

Quite possibly the greatest trumpet sound ever captured on tape. Miles' tone on here is absolutely sublime!!!!

[@agamemnonpadar5706]

Listening to Miles Davis and John Coltrane for now about 40 years every time I hear their music I am amazed by its beauty and depth. Another artist who has the same effect on me is Oliver Nelson. One night in the 1980s I sat with four elder jazz musicians in a club where them had finished their concert. There was loud Funk playing and we all chatted happily away and drunk quite heavily. When it got late in the night a piece of music by Oliver Nelson "Stolen Moments" from the album "The Blues and the Abstract Truth" (1961) was played and suddenly the crowd got quiet and all listened to the music. When the track ended there was a moment of silence and the saxophonist remarked into it "damn, this was good". I really recommend for the one who don't know "Stolen Moment" to look it up on KZbin and have a "damn, this was good" moment. I envy you to hear this beautiful piece of music for the first time.

[@sirjer73]

Shoutout 2 Oliver Nelson another St. Louis area legend like Miles Davis!!!

[@PepperWilliams_songcovers]

So true!!! Stolen Moments is truly a Masterpiece composed by another superb multi-talented musician....Oliver Nelson!

[@stevenmillner471]

@@PepperWilliams_songcovers "Stolen Moments" was the theme song my Uncle Beni used as a late night DJ in Los Angeles in the early 1960s when he was known as the "Jazz Prophet" on a Black radio focused show...All the artists visited his station...Nelson as you mentioned...was a blessing....

[@nyterpfan]

Coltrane on soprano was brilliant----but Coltrane on tenor was God in human form!!

[@sunyata1016]

The bass dude is so overlooked and underrated

[@nassar57]

Paul Chambers. Died young.

[@noahs.627]

Mr P.C

[@PapaEli-pz8ff]

Not to the fans.. or anyone actually listening to the music

[@nassar57]

Jimmy Cleveland and Frank Rehak were very underrated trombone players. Nobody was here who wasn't top notch - Trane, Paul Chambers, Wynton Kelly, Jimmy Cobb, arranger Gil Evans and of course - Miles Davis. Music of the time reflects a culture more than any other medium. THIS was when American culture was great - because America was great then.

[@PepperWilliams_songcovers]

Wasn't also Kai Winding there?

[@robertmanno5749]

The Gil Evans introduction to So What ss actually an orchestration of Bill Evans' original piano intro.

[@MrBumrah123]

freeze frame at 2:37 where Coltrane looks on at Miles....That's a powerful moment

[@vonsopas]

I used that very same frame as a wallpaper some time ago...

[@lucky4724]

MrBumrah123 wow, classic

[@Lilliputian63]

Ahh, but freeze frame at 5:05 and see the moment where Davis, and ALL the other musicians in the cameras frame marvel at Coltrane's beautiful phrasing. Especially look to the dude with the glasses as a small smile curls upon his face. And watch as Davis opens his mouth agape in admiration, just as the director cuts away. Coltrane was sublime.

[@MrBumrah123]

@@Lilliputian63 Absolutely incredible moments!

[@CharmelMooreJoiner]

Incredible footage.....I have to applaud the producers of this event...... Avant-Gard

[@calicowest]

These were musicians being musicians… however Miles knew what he was creating here a ‘Masterpiece’

[@PepperWilliams_songcovers]

Finally, I hear where the word "Masterpiece" is appropriately used!

[@jeanriff7954]

Amazing record thank to show it .bravo miles ,john.and all musiciens❤❤❤❤😊😊😊😊😊

[@TheOwl]

Some people are virtuosos with an instrument. Gil Evans was a virtuoso with the jazz orchestra between his detailed writing and use of unconventional instruments (flutes, oboes, French horn, tuba). Gil and Miles created some amazing music together that I'll always love, this TV special offers much proof. ❤❤❤❤

[@robertmanno5749]

The Gil Evans introduction to So What is actually an orchestration of Bill Evans' original piano intro.

[@robstimson4234]

this is the theme song in my Heaven

[@dennissevilla9895]

Miles Davis, Cannonball Adderly, Bill Evans, and John Coltrane all in one album. Kind of Blue is one of the greatest albums of all time.

[@bingoblu]

decades ahead his time..... impressive how fresh they sound... simply impressive. It sounds futuristic also compared to 90% of the music we listen in 2024

[@felipehelfensteller5554]

Not only the music, though this video itself is amazing. This mesmerizes me everytime I watch it, makes my night better, soothes me.

[@robertbright-jc3sd]

This is the absolute best version of Mr.Miles Davis GREAT SONG SO WHAT.!!!

[@hkiamzon]

Awesome seeing the reaction to John 5:05. Guy in front of Miles is like, "Did I just hear that?". And guy behind Miles is like, "Yup, I just heard that."

[@PepperWilliams_songcovers]

Coltrane was just 32 years old......LET THAT SINK IN!!!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@kennythebrush22]

....and the heavens opened............................................

[@tofinoguy]

Can you believe the bass run at 2:15. Massive talent.

[@RastaSaiyaman]

+Glen MacPherson "Chambers was THE bass player with Miles." - Marcus Miller.

[@sirjer73]

Paul Chambers was a BEAST Period!!!

[@msticdrumr]

Every single time I see this and the other vids from this show, just simply sends chills throughout my bod because it floods my system with beta endorphins, awe, and joy!!!!! It doesn't get any cooler and I can't thank the savvy folks who were responsible for the production of the presentation and having it preserved for future viewing by the laterday media formats!!!!! Much Respect…Mush Love!!!!

[@Jazz313]

God have Blessed us with these wonderful people ❤thanks for sharing 🎉

[@ELMASLAD]

The block of W77th St in New York City between Riverside Avenue and West End Avenue, where Miles lived, was just named ' MILES DAVIS WAY' !! I'm watching this incredible video and listening to these amazing musicians to celebrate this long overdue tribute to the man who personifies the 'cool'.

[@HEAD3455]

that's KOOl miles ave.

[@ali_ve4now]

they needa make a road for coltrane as well XD

[@tonmisty]

The atmosphere and the fantastic playing still give me goose pimples.

[@N1CK_B]

Coltrane’s improvised solo was less than two minutes out of his day, yet lives on so enduringly

[@joecairo1]

2:11 The cool that was & still is Miles Davis...

[@Nick-c6-n]

The best Miles solo I've ever heard in jazz screen. Of course Coltrane not in shadow over Miles trumpet, but piano party must play Bill Evans, because So what was created in cooperation with Miles.

[@ThePassionOfTheMarc]

I think from now on, every time I feel like listening to this song, I'm just going to watch this video.

[@tomslavinsky1105]

One of my favorite tunes. Miles 1st solo improv was so well conceived and delivered-a true Master.

[@lissayaalaska]

how can I be so lucky, from the AK, Alaska I the house, Miles rings bright and clear, a bell in the arctic night, a ray in the eternal summer's day

[@jamesconnors5653]

Davis and Coltrane and Cobb. Amazing.

[@PepperWilliams_songcovers]

Love how saying those names ring from the mouth......DAVIS, COLTRANE AND COBB! That should be a special ordered drink. "Hey bartender, let me have a DC and C"

[@muhammadshakoor8745]

CLASSIC! Trane, the master of the Intro.

[@tombaron2321]

I was fortunate to attend his show at the Plugged Nickel, Chicago 1965. Electric wow!

[@RUNNOFT71]

Everytime i hear Miles play I always get this image in my head of him standing on this great big cliff at night overlooking the ocean, and the moon is huge and it's light is outlining the silhouette of him playing his horn, playing for the moon. It's a lonely looking image.

[@WhizMitchell]

Everyone played brilliantly on this. Great historical piece of film!

[@malbug]

Love watching the guys groovin' in the background...classic.

[@masonicpeace]

LUV THIS, TY GRANDPA for introducing me to Miles years ago!!!!!

[@gabagoo666]

Miss Cannonball Adderley on this version.

[@SuperStrik9]

Glorious! Just flat out glorious!

[@carloseduardoandrade8365]

Mills Davis e John Contrane!! Encontro de gigantes.

[@robertdiffin9136]

7:55 slips in “Surry with the Fringe On Top.” Nice.

[@BennettAustin7]

Paul chambers goin off

[@sirjer73]

Paul Chambers WAS A BOSS BEAST!!!

[@newyorknight]

My trumpet is a time machine,and Miles is there to greet me.......

[@m.zillch3841]

Trombones! They add some nice accents.

[@kurthubbard-beale5003]

Almost no words.. Genius😌😎

[@stretch54]

The Miles Davis Quintet:- Miles Davis, trumpet; John Coltrane, tenor sax; Wynton Kelly, piano; Paul Chambers, acoustic double bass; Jimmy Cobb, drums. 2. Miles Davis, trumpet, fluegel horn, bugle, with Gil Evans and his Orchestra:- Ernie Royal, Clyde Raesinger, Louis Mucci, Johnny Coles, Emmett Berry, trumpet; Frank Rehak, Jimmy Cleveland, Bill Elton, Rod Levitt, trombone; Julius Watkins, Bob Northern, French horn; Bill Barber, tuba; Danny Bank, bass clarinet; John Coltrane, tenor sax; Romeo Penque, Eddie Caine, woodwinds; Wynton Kelly, piano; Paul Chambers, acoustic double bass; Jimmy Cobb, drums; + harp. (Personnel on Camera)

[@carolkelly1324]

T H A N K S..

[@jeshun7071]

Happy birthday to MIles Davis who would've been 93 today, the Jazz trumpeter, bandleader, and composer, undoubtedly one of the most influential figures in the history of Jazz music, Miles redefined Jazz & made it cool along with his slick suits

[@19598835]

Still thee greatest music (ever). Jimmy Cobb? Hell, he continues getting better & better - non stop

[@nigelwyn]

Original, non cropped aspect ratio. Very good.

[@bangcolt]

I love 5:05 in when Trane goes on a run and trombonist Rod Levitt breaks his conversation with Miles and the other band members and snaps his head to the right to take a look.

[@PapaEli-pz8ff]

Yep! I noticed that, too 🎵😊

[@michaelredd4642]

I don't smoke.. but I would if I was at this recording. It looks so cool

[@PabloVestory]

I had no idea that this performance does even exist! Tank you forever for posting. Blessed be KZbin

[@williemo44]

What I learn listening to Miles, is it is the attitude of the musician that makes the musician unique. That is the personality that interprets the sounds we hear. Air through a trumpet is not the sounds, it’s the pain and anger flowing from those lungs that soothes.

[@aama2261]

MUS 300 1) Miles Davis - trumpet John Coltrane - tenor sax Wynton Kelly - piano Paul Chambers - bass Jimmy Cobb - drums 2) Modal Jazz 3) 32 Bar Form 4) I decided to included this rendition of one of my favorite songs because it truly does tell a story. And I had never before heard anyone else verbalizing it in that same manner as in the beginning. The orchestral intro was truly captivating as well.

[@johnned4848]

Love this! RIP Jimmy Cobb.

[@Trumpetmac]

Classic Miles truly awesome simple and COOL

[@smoothjazzuk5168]

The best music ever.......Miles, Trane.....plus Gil!!! It doesn't get any better than this.....

[@StephanieJeannot]

Dag! I wish I could have been there. So good.

[@Ewerb7]

Music like this us from the gods! It is other worldly. Kind of Blue is an album that all other jazz music can be measured by. Every composition is now a standard. No matter how many time I listen to So What no matters who playing I am captivated. Timeless!

[@CowboyBebop444]

i have this whole vid and its cool

[@estatequieta]

Can you post it? Where can I find it? My son plays trumpet and my daughter bass. I would love to watch the whole video. Thanks :)

[@CowboyBebop444]

Eliana Lara i used to have it on my channel but youTube put a strike against my account...unfortunately, i dont have have it in my computer no more, i think you may be able to buy it online, i want to buy it...i will look it up since your comment reminded me that i never got around to searching..i think i will now, because i would love to own this in video

[@estatequieta]

Thank you so much! Please let me know when you find it. I will search as well.

[@clarkewi]

An amazing period when there was true artistry.

[@iainrobb2076]

I alternate between Kind of Blue and A Love Supreme most often when I want to play a jazz record, but the former is easier to play more often, so it's by a margin my favourite jazz album ever made. It's a perfect record, really. Cobbled together from mere scraps by a bunch of geniuses in telepathy with one another. Just wonderful.

[@raulsouza5866]

Listen to the Black Saint and the Sinner Lady by Mingus, it is definetely on the same tier of these albums.

[@13loomisst]

Thanks very much.

[@robertbright2057]

From the beginning to the end of the song this is TRULY AN ABSOLUTE AMAZING VERSION OF SO WHAT, NOTHING IS LEFT OUT OF THIS “MASTERPIECE” PLAYED BY THE MASTERS THEMSELVES.🎼🎺🎷🎹🥁🎼

[@valeriodiloreto9701]

THANK YOU

[@jeffstowe4860]

Wow, this i the coolest there is!

[@gamma68]

Check out 4:55. Coltrane has the full attention of his peers, who are all in awe of his talent and brilliance.

[@L33M_0]

I would love to recreate this moment

[@IntuitiveJazz]

Kalim Manigault The modal harmonic structures (particularly dorian mode) , and other stylistic elements that are displayed in this footage have become standard vocabulary for countless Jazz musicians ever since 1959. Wynton Marsalis started off his professional adult playing career in Art Blakey (right?) playing more or less 1960s post-Bop, but then he moved his focus backwards in Jazz history. More recently he has been focused on re-creating dixieland traditional Jazz. Some musicians take the approach of being period music ensembles and carefully re-creating the music they love. But a big part of what Miles wasn't just his band and his music but extra-musical elements/factors. I haven't seen anyone successfully do justice to Miles's "cool" quality from this period. In fact, his drug use in the 1960s and onwards really sapped him of a lot of what he had in the 1950s. ( quoting : ) Trumpeter Lester Bowie said of Marsalis, "If you retread what's gone before, even if it sounds like jazz, it could be anathema to the spirit of jazz." - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wynton_Marsalis#Criticism There's nothing wrong with enjoying what you like. No need for arguments. I personally see a place for maintaining traditions and old styles.

[@thorenjohn]

Thanks for this video!

[@muhammadshakoor8745]

A classical Masterpiece!

[@surferpam1]

Best year for jazz -- here and in Europe.

[@stephangagnon3121]

Majestic cool!

[@ColvinBrooke]

My parents have the cds of Miles... best Jazz player💚💙🎸🎙🎶 I really admire his talent...inspirations to all players & singer like me...👍🏻 what cool guy! Thanks for posting💕💙💜💚❤️ Worth subbing to your channel... ✌️😎✌️

[@mitchcohn5552]

In the '70s I lived on same block as Miles....used to see him and Cicely pass by....She acknowledged me most of the time....Miles?....nah

[@realmczappa]

mitch cohn sounds about accurate lol

[@williemo44]

To be shunned by Miles is the equivalent of being acknowledged by Miles...an honor if you are a jazz fan, a pessimist if you are a people fan.

[@Resplencemelodi]

Patrick O'Brien weird I'm pretty sure he was buddies with Chet Baker. Of course he's also allowed to make exceptions

[@Nick-c6-n]

So what - самое выдающееся произведение М.Девиса в его творчестве. Хочу добавить мысль, что слоган 'Blacks needs matter' имеет прямое отношение к этому замечательному трубачу Спасибо ❤👌👍

[@surfgod509]

Incredible Jazz History... thanks for sharing....

[@renelaplanche7201]

Ouf enfin un enregistrement haute qualité

[@michaelsheridan2748]

Brilliant!!!!!

[@BrinsyNickie]

Just fantastic.

[@ewanoates8297]

the perfect song,

[@marcocattafi9028]

Guys but someone knows if the second part it's somewhere on "KZbin"? Thanks

[@cedricsharpe8893]

I love 💟 Sunday cool jazz 😀