Jun 3, 2025 11:25 AM
In Memoriam: Al Foster, 1943–2025
Al Foster, a drummer regarded for his fluency across the bebop, post-bop and funk/fusion lineages of jazz, died May 28…
Miles Davis
(Photo: DownBeat Archive)Nearly 25 years after his death, the recorded artistry of trumpet genius Miles Davis continues to grow. Columbia/Legacy Recordings, a division of Sony Music Entertainment, will release Miles Davis Quintet: Freedom Jazz Dance: The Bootleg Series, Vol 5 on Oct. 21.
The three-CD box set collection chronicles Davis’ musical evolution during his Second Great Quintet period (1966–1968), in which he worked primarily with saxophonist Wayne Shorter, pianist Herbie Hancock, drummer Tony Williams and bassist Ron Carter.
The latest edition in Columbia/Legacy’s acclaimed Miles Davis Bootleg Series, these albums provide a glimpse into trumpeter’s creative process, drawing on full session reels and rehearsal footage, partial and alternate takes, extensive studio conversation and more.
The box set will be released to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Davis’ landmark album Miles Smiles, which was the second album to be recorded by this iteration of the Great Quintet. The new collection includes the master takes of performances which would appear on the Miles Smiles, and later on Nefertiti (1968) and Water Babies (recorded 1967, released 1976). The set also features more than two hours of previously unreleased studio recordings from original sessions produced by Teo Macero.
Miles Davis Quintet: Freedom Jazz Dance: The Bootleg Series, Vol 5 box set was produced for contemporary release by the multi Grammy Award-winning team of Steve Berkowitz, Michael Cuscuna and Richard Seidel. The album was mixed from the original 4-track tapes and mastered by Grammy Award-winning engineer Mark Wilder.
In addition to more than two hours of previously unreleased studio sessions, the collection includes “Blues In F (My Ding),” a rare home recording of Davis and Shorter working out a new blues composition on piano.
The box set includes liner notes by Grammy Award-winning writer and educator Ashley Kahn, author of Kind of Blue: The Making of the Miles Davis Masterpiece, as well as new interviews with Quintet members Ron Carter and Wayne Shorter.
For more information, visit LegacyRecordings.com.
Foster was truly a drummer to the stars, including Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins and Joe Henderson.
Jun 3, 2025 11:25 AM
Al Foster, a drummer regarded for his fluency across the bebop, post-bop and funk/fusion lineages of jazz, died May 28…
“Branford’s playing has steadily improved,” says younger brother Wynton Marsalis. “He’s just gotten more and more serious.”
May 20, 2025 11:58 AM
Branford Marsalis was on the road again. Coffee cup in hand, the saxophonist — sporting a gray hoodie and a look of…
“What did I want more of when I was this age?” Sasha Berliner asks when she’s in her teaching mode.
May 13, 2025 12:39 PM
Part of the jazz vibraphone conversation since her late teens, Sasha Berliner has long come across as a fully formed…
Roscoe Mitchell will receive a Lifetime Achievement award at this year’s Vision Festival.
May 27, 2025 6:21 PM
Arts for Art has announced the full lineup for the 2025 Vision Festival, which will run June 2–7 at Roulette…
Benny Benack III and his quartet took the Midwest Jazz Collective’s route for a test run this spring.
Jun 3, 2025 10:31 AM
The time and labor required to tour is, for many musicians, daunting at best and prohibitive at worst. It’s hardly…
