About

This contains two of the classic Miles Davis sessions of 1954 which made all the critics who hailed his appearance at the 1955 Newport Jazz Festival a "comeback" seem like a pack of Rip Van Winkles. "Walkin'" and "Blue 'n' Boogie" are quintessential blues jams with all the pluses and none of the minuses of that genre. The solos by Davis, J.J. Johnson, Lucky Thompson, and Horace Silver are electric and the ensemble punches powerfully. The date with Bird-fancier Davey Schildkraut finds Miles's magic mute materializing in front of the fine Silver/Percy Heath/Kenny Clarke rhythm section. – Press Release

Musicians:

Miles Davis, trumpet

J.J. Johnson, trombone

Lucky Thompson, tenor sax

Davey Schildkraut, alto sax

Horace Silver, piano

Percy Heath, bass

Kenny Clarke, drums

Tracklist

A1 Miles Davis Sextet - Walkin'      

A2 Miles Davis Sextet - Blue 'N' Boogie      

B1 Miles Davis Quintet - Solar       

B2 Miles Davis Quintet - You Don't Know What Love Is

B3 Miles Davis Quintet - Love Me Or Leave Me

“This bop-era classic finds trumpeter Miles Davis (1926-91) leading two groups from two sessions in April 1954: a superb sextet and a compelling quintet. Both groups center on a blue-chip rhythm section consisting of pianist Horace Silver, bassist Percy Heath and drummer Kenny Clarke. But despite the rock solid foundation and substantial decoration these three provide, Walkin' is all about the horn players.

Trombonist J.J. Johnson and tenor saxophonist Lucky Thompson help Davis helm the sextet for Richard Carpenter's title song - a 12-bar blues that turned into a genuine jazz standard after its first reading here - and Dizzy Gillespie's "Blue 'N' Boogie." The quintet, featuring the Bird-like alto of the little known Dave Schildkraut, takes leave of the blues for some of Davis's craftiest playing — interestingly, hereafter, with his trumpet muted.

Starting with "Solar," the group seems to be able to handle whatever trick Davis plays any quirk he pursues. This is most apparent on the lovely, but rather spiky version of "You Don't Know What Love Is" and the set's closer, the surprisingly sprite "Love Me Or Leave Me." Throughout, Davis sounds grand: comfortable, authoritative and well within his gamely element.” – All About Jazz

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