Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]

by Miles Davis

Overview

Director Stanley Nelson's comprehensive 2020 documentary Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool, works to illuminate the trumpeter's expansive musical journey from his early years as a bebop acolyte of Charlie Parker to his groundbreaking work as modal jazz innovator and fusion pioneer. To accomplish this, he interviewed numerous Davis associates, weaving their first-hand experiences alongside rare and classic footage of Davis, as well as his classic recordings. Nelson took the same approach when constructing the documentary soundtrack, offering a loosely structured timeline of Davis' work from the '40s to the '80s. In Between each track he also inserts penetrating commentary by individuals interviewed for the film, including insights from Herbie Hancock, George Wein, Wayne Shorter, Gil Evans, and others. While Nelson certainly includes landmark recordings like 1958's "Milestones," 1959's "So What," and 1967's "Footprints," he also side-steps obvious cuts like "All Blues" and "My Funny Valentine" in favor of highlighting more finely curated choices like "Moon Dreams" off 1954's Birth of the Cool, "The Pan Piper (Alborado De Vigo)" off 1960's Sketches of Spain, and "Miles Runs the Voodoo Down" off 1970's Bitches Brew. Also included is a newly produced track, "Hail to the Real Chief," which was constructed out of previously unreleased Davis recordings by the trumpeter's fusion-era bandmates, including drummer Lenny White and drummer (and nephew) Vince Wilburn, Jr. Although it's not presented chronologically, the soundtrack does paint an ever-developing picture of Davis throughout his career, and each song is nicely complemented by the preceding commentary. Even if you only have a passing understanding of his musical contributions, Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool will help you get a good sense of who Miles Davis was and why he was important. ~ Matt Collar

Product Details

Release Date:	01/17/2020
Label:	Sony Music
UPC:	0194397237016

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Miles Davis   Primary Artist,Featured Artist,Trumpet,Flugelhorn
Marcus Miller   Primary Artist,Bass
Frances E. T. Davis   Primary Artist
Greg Tate   Primary Artist
Herbie Hancock   Primary Artist,Piano
Erin Davis   Primary Artist
Vincent Bessieres   Primary Artist
Symphony Sid   Primary Artist
Miles Davis Quintet   Primary Artist
Jimmy Heath   Primary Artist
Carlos Santana   Primary Artist
Charlie Parker   Primary Artist,Sax (Alto),Featured Artist
Wayne Shorter   Primary Artist,Saxophone,Sax (Tenor)
Jimmy Cobb   Primary Artist,Drums
Quincy Troupe   Primary Artist
George Wein   Primary Artist
Ashley Kahn   Primary Artist
Gil Evans   Primary Artist,Conductor
Jack Chambers   Primary Artist
Antoine Roney   Sax (Tenor)
Art Taylor   Drums
Al McKibbon   Bass
Tommy Potter   Bass
Gerry Mulligan   Sax (Baritone)
Cannonball Adderley   Sax (Alto)
Dave Holland   Bass
Bill Evans   Piano
Taft Jordan   Trumpet
Bennie Maupin   Clarinet (Bass)
Tom Mitchell   Trombone (Bass)
Jabali Billy Hart   Drums,Bongos
Paul Chambers   Double Bass,Bass
Sid Cooper   Flute,Clarinet
Bernie Glow   Trumpet
Tony Williams   Drums
Ernie Royal   Trumpet
Romeo Penque   Oboe,Flute,Clarinet
Philly Joe Jones   Drums
Red Garland   Piano
Tony Miranda   French Horn
Hank Mobley   Sax (Tenor)
Harvey Brooks   Bass
Willie Ruff   French Horn
Dick Hixon   Trombone
Joe Singer   French Horn
Jimmy McAllister   Tuba
Vince Wilburn, Jr.   Drums
John Carisi   Trumpet
Bill Barber   Tuba
Paulinho Da Costa   Percussion
Earl Chapin   French Horn
Bernard Wright   Keyboards
Kenny Clarke   Drums
Jim Buffington   French Horn
Jack DeJohnette   Drums
Chick Corea   Piano (Electric)
Quintin Zoto   Guitar
Emilio Modeste   Sax (Tenor)
Albert Bock   Flute
Lee Konitz   Sax (Alto)
Lenny White   Drums,Synthesizer
John Lewis   Piano
Barney Wilen   Sax (Tenor)
J.J. Johnson   Trombone
Larry Young   Piano (Electric)
Eddie Caine   Flute
Joe Bennett   Trombone
James Buffington   French Horn
Jumma Santos   Percussion
John Coltrane   Sax (Tenor)
Joe Zawinul   Piano (Electric)
Elvin Jones   Percussion
Frank Rehak   Trombone
Johnny Coles   Trumpet
Janet Putnam   Harp
Jack Knitzer   Bassoon
Jose Mangual   Percussion
John McLaughlin   Guitar (Electric)
Ron Carter   Double Bass
Pierre Michelot   Bass
Jeremy Pelt   Trumpet
Harold Feldman   Oboe,Flute,Clarinet
Jimmy Cleveland   Trombone
Rene Urtreger   Piano
Max Roach   Drums
Louis Mucci   Trumpet
John Barrows   French Horn
Bud Powell   Piano
Gunther Schuller   French Horn
Danny Bank   Clarinet (Bass)
John Scofield   Guitar
Wynton Kelly   Piano

Technical Credits

Tommy LiPuma   Producer
Gil Evans   Arranger
Cootie Williams   Composer
Chummy MacGregor   Composer
Walter Rivers   Producer
Julie Sacks   Series Producer
Cheryl Davis   Executive Producer
John Jackson   A&R
Charlie Parker   Composer
Peter Worsley   Supervising Producer
Junko Tsunashima   Production Consultant
Darryl Porter   Executive Producer
Richard Rodgers   Composer
Vince Wilburn, Jr.   Producer,Executive Producer,Soundtrack Producer
Roxanne Slimak   Package Design
Erin Davis   Executive Producer
Michael Kantor   Executive Producer
Geoff Kempin   Executive Producer
Teo Macero   Producer
Traditional   Composer
Terry Shand   Executive Producer
Bernie Hanighen   Composer
Bob Weinstock   Producer
Irving Townsend   Producer
Larry Morey   Composer
Nicole London   Producer
Kerry Abner   Introduction
Stanley Nelson   Soundtrack Producer
Johnny Mercer   Composer
Lenny White   Composer,Producer
Thelonious Monk   Composer
Ahmad Jamal   Composer
Gretchen Brennison   Product Development Director
Frank Churchill   Composer
George Avakian   Producer
Jason Miles   Synthesizer Programming
Wayne Shorter   Composer
Rich Keller   Mixing,Engineer
Pete Rugolo   Producer
Mark Wilder   Mastering
Miles Davis   Composer
Cal Lampley   Producer
Marcus Miller   Composer,Producer