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FLAGPOLE MAGAZINE
Page 13
Death of
Cool
The world has lest yet another of itsunff
valed musical forces. Miles Davis helped
transform a generation or more of musi
cians, while producing some beautiful
music.
His career got a firm start in the Charlie
Parker quintet with some fantastic record
ings from 1945 and 1947. It took some
major leaps with the "Birth of the Cool"
recordings from 1949, in the form of a nine
piece group arranged by Gil Evans. Davis
would go on to work periodically with Evans
during the '50s and early '60s, most notably
on Porgy and Bess.
In a bop-driven decade that spawned
many talented trumpets, such as Clifford
Brown, Kenny Dorham, Donald Byrd, Red
Rodney, Blue Mitchell and Clark Terry..., for
good or for bad, the only name that remains
fresh in our minds is Miles.
The major reason that Davis refused to be
shelved away was his determination to
create new types of music. While he never
went into the so-called Avant Garde or
“free-jazz* of the ‘60s, he was an innovator
in another sense. Pre-meditating the 70s,
Davis ushered into jazz, a fusion of rock
elements with the assists of Herbie Han
cock and John McLaughlin on Bitches Brew.
While many in the jazz community felt that
the directions of the late 1960s' Davis group
were a betrayal to the bop-spirited music he
once produced, it is clear to see his influ
ence on the jazz world of tne 70s and ’80s.
Instead of staying apart from the growth
of the rock culture, Miles merged with it.
Meanwhile, the leaders of the free-jazz
movement of the mid to late '60s — Ornette
Coleman, Cecil Taylor, The Art Ensemble of
Chicago — were in essence keeping with
the tradition of the American jazz experi
ence. But in doing so, they also alienated
themselves from American audiences, who
had no interest in this form of art.
*■. ...
With the creativity that had produced
such innovative albums as Milestones and
Kind of Blue, Miles skipped the Free-scene
and channeled his energies to motivate the
trend in American popular jazz to lean toward
fusion.
Yet, Davis never compromised his opin
ions and always took his music the direction
he wished. At 65, the Creator of Cool, an
early encourager of John Coltrane (besides
Monk), and a model for Chet Baker, is lam
peacefully to rest.
In a decade that has already claimed
Sarah Vaughn, Dexter Gordon, Art Blakey,
Mingus' drummer — Dannie Richmond,
Chet Baker, Stan Getz, clarinetist-composer
John Carter, Jimmy Lyons (alto-counterpart
to Cecil Taylor), people to fill these shoes
need to come forward really soon.
Be sure to tune in to A MATTER OF JAZZ
on 90.FM next Sunday at 9:00 p.m., as we
resume the series of the continuing history
of Jazz. The era covered will be the 1930s'
Big Band era. Call 542-4567 pertaining to
requests, and comments.
Andy Miller
Equality Prevails
It should, anyhow. Creation
Artefact, that band that plays
lightyears better than it spels, is
sponsoring (if that be the word for
it) something we'll call "Girls' Night
Out.* This is destined to be the
most different Tape Release Party
you've ever bumped into What it
amounts to is this: if you're a guy,
you get in free if you wear a dress.
I assume women's shoes are op
tional. as is what underwear to
choose, if any (that new shop right
by The Downstairs may be a help). Gals get in free, too, if attired similarly. The band’s blurb
says “show starts early. 9:30" and "local groov(e)y rock chicks include Creation Artefact,
WET, Marlee MacLeod, Slappy, and Lisa Majersky" —sounds like phun, with a capital PH.
(What IS my Ph., anyhow?) Wear a dress, get in free, buy lots of beer, and buy a tape. Now
where's my nun's habit? I think it's over here by the Hupmobile radiators....(30.)
Surreal Theatre
Maurice Greenia Jr.
Aljkt Till i Ors Pcf l‘K< * J f-
■Fieod V f Asici fee.* £V/V>e J
; aujhfer xneiks by.
*>«/// C' r <r*fa<*S
£\. r tc+s. Another pt 6 *’
PJJ
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COMING SOON:
Your Halloween
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NEW
SPRING
HOUSE
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fashion taste”
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FIVE POINTS
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MEN OF THE WORLD!
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THE
Wednesday
Live Music, the Mighty - GENE
COOK - On Stage
Bud Light a S buck-25
Thursday
You know'em, you've seen'em, you’ve
heard'em - the fabulous John & Wess
Bud Light still a $ buck-25
Friday
OK, Saturday night is the big game,
FRIDA Y NIGHT IS THE BIG PARTY
Saturday
Leave the game early and meet at the
City Bar
Monday
LIVE JAZZ - Bobby Rogers Trio
J