1958 · Album
Porgy and Bess
Recorded July 22, July 29, August 4, and August 18, 1958 · Columbia Records
Miles and Gil Take On Gershwin
Davis and Evans turned a 1935 opera into something that sounds like no other jazz album before or since.
When Miles Davis and Gil Evans decided to arrange George Gershwin's 1935 opera Porgy and Bess for a jazz band, they weren't trying to be clever or ironic. They just heard something in that score that spoke to them—melodies and chord changes that could open up in a completely different way under a jazz band's hands. The result is one of the most successful classical-to-jazz crossovers ever made, which is saying something because most of them don't work at all.
Davis plays with a kind of muted restraint throughout these four sessions, recorded in the summer of 1958. His tone is warm but reserved, almost like he's meditating on these famous tunes rather than conquering them. Evans orchestrated the pieces to give Davis space to breathe—there's no overcrowding, no showing off. Tracks like "Summertime" and "Bess, You Is My Woman Now" have a slow, considered beauty that makes you understand why these melodies have lasted this long. The arrangements are busy and detailed, sure, but they never overshadow the soloist. Evans understood that his job was to set up Davis, not to grab attention himself.
Many people think this is Davis and Evans's best work together. It sits comfortably in Davis's catalog—not his most groundbreaking moment, but something that showcases a completely different side of his musicianship than, say, the hard bebop albums or his later modal experiments. If you know Davis only from his funk and fusion records, this might surprise you. It's essential listening and genuinely moving, even if you've never heard the opera. Start here if you want to understand how completely Davis could disappear into an arranger's vision and make it his own.
Who's playing
Danny Bankbass clarinet
Paul Chambersbass
Dick Hixsonbass trombone
Cannonball Adderleyalto saxophone
Johnny Colestrumpet
Bernie Glowtrumpet
Louis R. Muccitrumpet
Ernie Royaltrumpet
Joe Bennetttrombone
Jimmy Clevelandtrombone
Frank Rehaktrombone
Romeo Penqueflute
Jerome Richardsonflute
Philly Joe Jonesdrums
Bill Barbertuba
Miles Davisflugelhorn
Willie RuffFrench horn
Gunther SchullerFrench horn
Julius WatkinsFrench horn
Where next?
More by Miles Davis
All 59 albums →
The musicians on this record
Julian "Cannonball" Adderley 1955
Cannonball Adderley
plays alto saxophone here
plays alto saxophone here
Kenny Drew Trio 1957
Philly Joe Jones
plays drums (drum set) here
plays drums (drum set) here
