Ken Burns Jazz-Miles Davis
In conjunction with the release of Ken Burns ten-part, 19-hour epic PBS documentary Jazz Columbia issued 22 single-disc compilations devoted to jazz's most significant artists, as well as a five-disc historical summary. Since the individual compilations attempt to present balanced overviews of each artist's career, tracks from multiple labels have thankfully been licensed where appropriate. Miles Davis is one of the most difficult jazz artists to anthologize well, especially within the confines of a single disc. Though merely finding a way to give equal time to the many phases of Davis career is nearly impossible, this volume of the Ken Burns Jazz series tries mightily and more or less succeeds. The compilation follows the trumpeter's winding path through bop, proto-cool jazz, orchestral jazz, modal jazz (the legendary Kind of Blue period), hard bop (his hugely influential quintet of the '60s), and electric jazz fusion. Needless to say, the single-disc format doesn't allow for much time spent on any of these periods, and thus doesn't make for a very cohesive listen. Still, Ken Burns Jazz is surprisingly effective given what it's trying to accomplish, and provides a strong idea of the tremendous variety in Davis oeuvre. Since the Davis volume of the series hops around so much, it's finally more of a jumping-off point than self-contained listening experience. The compilation allows neophytes to get their feet wet, sample small bites of Davis many stylistic changes, and then purchase the individual works from the periods that most interest them. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide
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Credits »
Bob Belden - Compilation Producer
Bob Belden - Discographical Information
Miles Davis - Main Performer
Adam Block - Project Manager
Ken Burns - Executive Producer
Michael Cuscuna - Compilation Producer
Michael Cuscuna - Discographical Information
Didier C. Deutsch - Discographical Information
Gil Evans - Arranger
Gil Evans - Conductor
Jeff Jones - Executive Producer
Peter Keepnews - Editing
Mark Wilder - Mastering
Francis Davis - Liner Notes
Don Hunstein - Cover Photo
Seth Rothstein - Project Director
Howard Fritzson - Art Direction
Ron Goldstein - Executive Producer
Nate Herr - Project Manager
Hollis King - Art Direction
Ben Young - Discographical Information
Mike Charlasch - Project Director
Patti Matheny - Coordination
Carlos Kase - Discographical Information
Bryan Koniarz - Project Manager
Seth Foster - Mastering
Jeffrey Peisch - Project Director
Jeffrey Peisch - Photo Research
John Christiana - Packaging Manager
Lauren Atlas - Packaging Manager
Sarah Botstein - Project Director
Ken Druker - Project Manager
Victoria Gohl - Photo Research
Adam Owett - Art Direction
Darren Salmieri - Coordination
Nathan Savage - Design
Clare Walker - Packaging Manager
Related Artists »
Clark Terry
Louis Armstrong
Harry James
Dizzy Gillespie
Charlie Parker
Bix Beiderbecke
Bobby Hackett
Roy Eldridge
