It's not just rock that's being discussed on Rockcult. This time we propose to remember the great jazz musician Miles Davis, who was born on May 26, 1926. He lived a long life and contributed to the development of many areas of jazz: bebop, modal jazz, cool jazz, fusion. Davis also experimented with jazz-rock and funk. Some musicologists rank him below such masters as Louis Armstrong, Charlie Parker or John Coltrane in terms of talent, while noting that Miles Davis was able to achieve success thanks to his fantastic ability to work, outstanding leadership qualities and the ability to catch fashion trends and organically use them in music. his creativity. Be that as it may, he made a significant contribution to the music of the 20th century, managed to play with many outstanding musicians and is still loved and adored by many connoisseurs of jazz and not only.
- What struck me at first in New York was the unexpected ignorance of many musicians in matters of music. Among the older generation of musicians, only Dizzy (Gillespie), Roy Elridge and long-haired Joe Guy could learn something. I thought that they were experts in this field, but in fact I understood much more about music than many of them. Many "old people" believed that it was not worth studying - then you would play like whites. Or if you learn something from the theory, then it will certainly affect the feeling in your game.
- Once, after a jam session, I fell asleep at home, when suddenly someone knocked on my door. I got up and trudged to open it, sleepy and angry as hell. And what do I see? JJ Johnson and Benny Carter with pencils and paper. I asked them: “Why are you bastards stuck at such an early hour?” JJ says, "Miles, sing me Confirmation, go ahead and sing Confirmation." That bastard didn't even say hello to me, can you imagine? Immediately climbed with "Confirmation". Ptitsa had just written Confirmation, and all the musicians were crazy about this topic. So, these two burst into my room at six in the morning. And Jay-Jay and I had been rehearsing "Confirmation" for a jam session not long before. And now drink to him.Well, I started humming this theme through my dream in F major. And JJ says, “Miles, you missed a note. Where is another note, what note is there in this melody? Well, I remember and sing to him.He says, “Thanks, Miles,” writes something down for himself, and leaves. Damn, he was funny, this Jay-Jay.
- It always seemed to me that drugs should be legalized so that this problem would not be a street problem. I don't understand why people like Billie Holiday have to die trying to overcome their addiction to drugs, trying to start a new life? I think it would be better if the drugs were available to her, maybe through a doctor, and she wouldn't have to break the law to get them.
- New stars Marlon Brando and James Dean brought the protest image of "angry young people" to cinema. The film "Rebel Without a Cause" was a huge success. Blacks and whites united, and in the music world, Uncle Tom's mild-mannered image was devalued. Suddenly, society demanded anger, composure, style and clear, restrained sophistication. The "rebel" image came into vogue, and since I've always been one, I think it helped me become a pop star. Besides, I was young, good-looking and smartly dressed.
- About Jimi Hendrix:He was a very pleasant guy, outwardly calm, but with an inner tension, completely different from what he seemed. Not at all like the wild nutcase he was on stage. Meeting with him and talking about music, I suddenly discovered that he did not know the notes. < …> Many great musicians - among them there are both black and white - can not read music, but there is nothing wrong with that, I knew some of these musicians, and respected them, and played along with them. So I didn't think less of Jimi for that. Jimi is a natural talent, self-taught. He learned from those who were close to him, grasping everything on the fly. As soon as he heard something, he already learned it. We talked a lot, and when I explained some technical things to him, for example: “You know, Jimi, when you play a diminished chord ...”, and I saw his confused look, I said: “OK, I'm sorry, I forgot…” And then I just showed him this technique on the piano or on the trumpet, and he immediately understood me. He had a natural gift.