Miles Davis

Birth Of The Cool Jazz Lines Publications Series

All ten of the charts from this landmark session which have been published by Jazz Lines Publications are now available in a specially-priced complete set at over 10% off!

These are all also available separately, and please click on any of the titles for full information on each of the arrangements.
Gil Evans set up shop in his small New York apartment above a Chinese laundry acting as an adviser to a group of jazz musicians. Evans was already well-known as an adventurous arranger who took inspiration from classical composers of the day. Miles Davis was trying to separate himself from the bebop club scene, of which he was a part in Charlie Parker's groups. The emphasis of this group was the arrangements and the re-definition of the current jazz scene. They invented what came to be known as the 'cool school.' Gerry Mulligan was the main arranger and composer with John Lewis.
In 1949 Davis organized the recording of twelve arrangements, nine by Gerry Mulligan, and others by John Lewis, Gil Evans, and others. They were recorded by Capitol Records, during three recording sessions, over the next year. These sessions yielded the famous Birth of the Cool record. In 1947 Evans and Gerry Mulligan organized a group of musicians into a working nonet and began to rehearse some new material. The musicians that were in the group included: Miles Davis (trumpet), Mike Zwerin (trombone), Bill Barber (tuba), Junior Collins (French horn), Gerry Mulligan (baritone saxophone), Lee Konitz (alto saxophone), John Lewis (piano), Al McKibbon (bass), and Max Roach (drums). Gerry Mulligan with Gil Evans, John Lewis, Mils Davis, and the others invented what came to be known as the Cool School.

Gil Evans set up shop in his small New York apartment above a Chinese laundry acting as an adviser to a group of jazz musicians. Evans was already well-known as an adventurous arranger who took inspiration from classical composers of the day. The emphasis of this group was the arrangements and the re-definition of the current jazz scene. Gerry Mulligan was the main arranger and composer with John Lewis. In 1947 Evans and Gerry Mulligan organized a group of musicians into a working nonet and began to rehearse some new material. Miles Davis was trying to separate himself from the bebop club scene, of which he was a part in Charlie Parker's groups. He heard the music being played at Gil Evans' place and joined them.

In 1949 Davis organized the recording of twelve arrangements, nine by Gerry Mulligan. They were recorded by Capitol Records, during three recording sessions, over the next year. These sessions yielded the famous Birth of the Cool record. The musicians that were in the group included: Miles Davis (trumpet), Mike Zwerin (trombone), Bill Barber (tuba), Junior Collins (French horn), Gerry Mulligan (baritone saxophone), Lee Konitz (alto saxophone), John Lewis (piano), Al McKibbon (bass), and Max Roach (drums).

Gerry Mulligan with Gil Evans, John Lewis, Miles Davis, and the others invented what came to be known as the Cool School.