Miles Davis’ mid-50s quintet, along with groups led by Art Blakey, Horace Silver, and Sonny Rollins, was one of the early standard bearers of hard bop. In this discussion, we listen to Miles Davis’ version of Cole Porter’s Love For Sale. ? Joining Miles on the front line is tenor saxophonist John Coltrane, who came to prominence at this time in association with Davis, and alto saxophonist Cannonball Adderley. On Love For Sale, ? Miles takes a Cole Porter ballad and plays it up-tempo, continuing to establish a “straight-ahead” style of hard bop that remains influential in contemporary jazz today.
Listen to Love For Sale, ? and consider the following questions:
The order of solos in this piece is: Davis, Adderley, Coltrane, Evans. Regarding the solos of Adderley and Coltrane: Listen to the recording and provide counter numbers for the beginning and end of these two solos. Compare and contrast the solo styles, and describe them. Listen to how they phrase or create musical lines over the chord changes. Try to include some detail.
How would you compare/contrast the solo style of Adderley with that of bebop alto saxophonist Charlie Parker?
How would you compare/contrast the solo style of Coltrane with that of swing tenor saxophonist Lester Young?
Now listen to how Bill Evans phrases during his solo that begins at 07:41 and ends at 10:11. Describe his style. What makes Evans different from other pianists you’ve heard?