The Centennial Spotlight: Miles Davis at 100

Did you know that if Miles Davis was still alive, he would be turning 100 this year? Imagine that–I wonder what else the trumpeter, bandleader and composer would’ve accomplished had he lived for another 30 years? Davis was the frontrunner of countless stylistic developments, such as bebop, cool jazz, hard bop, third stream, modal jazz, avant-garde jazz and jazz fusion. His legacy even extended into other genres like rock, funk, classical and hip-hop. It’s safe to say that without Davis, the American music landscape would be entirely different today. In honor of his birthday on May 26th, Night is Alive wants to shine a spotlight on the legendary Miles Davis by showcasing five of his most signature tracks!

So What

If “cool” had a sound, this would be it. Released in 1959 on the legendary Kind of Blue album, this track is the ultimate vibe. Instead of a million complicated notes, Miles uses “modal jazz,” which is just a fancy way of saying he gives the melody room to breathe. The famous bass line feels like a casual shrug, and Miles’s trumpet enters like he’s leaning against a streetlamp at midnight.

Summertime

You might know this melody from various pop or theater covers, but Miles turns this lullaby into something hauntingly beautiful. Working with arranger Gil Evans, he uses a Harmon mute—that little metal plug in the end of his trumpet—to create a whispering sound that became his trademark. This 1959 track is delicate, a little bit lonely, and incredibly lush. It feels like watching a sunset over a hazy city skyline; it’s proof that jazz can be just as cinematic as any big-budget movie score.

Milestones

Ready to pick up the pace? “Milestones” is where things get snappy. This 1958 track shows off Miles’s incredible ability to lead a band that moves like a single machine. It’s got a driving, upbeat energy that makes you want to tap your steering wheel. This was a turning point where Miles started moving away from the frantic “bebop” style and toward something more streamlined and modern. It’s sophisticated but punchy, capturing the buzzing energy of a 1950s New York City street corner.

Blue in Green

This is the track for a rainy night and a warm drink. It is widely considered one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever recorded. This 1959 song doesn’t have a traditional “hook,” instead, it circulates and flows like a water color painting. The mood is deeply introspective. Miles wasn’t just playing notes; he was sharing a feeling. It’s short, sweet, and carries an emotional weight that stays with you long after the final note fades into silence.

Spanish Key

Fast forward to 1970, and Miles decided to plug in his instruments and turn up the volume. “Spanish Key” is a funky, swirling psychedelic trip. It blends jazz with the heavy electric grooves of rock and funk. If the earlier tracks were a tailored suit, this is a leather jacket and sunglasses. It’s dense, rhythmic, and a little bit wild, proving that even as he got older, Miles was always the youngest, most forward-thinking person in the room.

Which Miles Davis song was your favorite and why? Feel free to share notes with friends to gain a deeper understanding of this legend!

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Photo from https://www.milesdavis.com/music/releases/, the official Miles Davis website.

Jazz for the Kentucky Derby

Did you know that the Kentucky Derby actually refers to a single race held on the first Saturday in May? This race is the first leg of the Triple Crown, which is a series of horse races for three-year-old Thoroughbreds. Preceded by the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival, the race is also known as “The Run for the Roses” since the winning horse is draped in a blanket of 400 roses. The race lasts approximately two minutes, which earned it the alternate name of “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports.”

The real question is though: what kind of music do people listen to at the Kentucky Derby? Since the Derby has run since 1875, it is synonymous with tradition and thus features the iconic tune “My Old Kentucky Home.” The 1852 composition is usually performed by the University of Louisville Cardinal Singers while horses parade. Oh, the sun shines bright on my old Kentucky home / ‘Tis summer, the people are gay / The corn tops rise and the meadows all in bloom / While the birds make sweet music all the day.

In more recent years, the Derby playlist has come to feature a mix of traditional folk and country music, as well as pop and party tunes. Tyler Childers, Chris Stapleton, Carrie Underwood and Chappell Roan have become popular artists.

But what about jazz? What if you want to listen to jazz while you get ready for the Derby or watch the races at home? No worries, Night is Alive has got you covered with some folksy jazz tunes that’ll get you in the mood to cheer and yell “giddy-up!”

“Whenever You Come Around” – Janis Siegel, John Di Martino and others

This groovy rendition of Vince Gill’s 1994 country ballad will have you singing along while you pick out the most perfect wide-brimmed Southern Belle hat to wear. From Night is Alive’s album Cryin’ In My Whiskey, this song captures that feeling of first infatuation, of being smitten, having a crush. Who knows, maybe your crush will be at the Derby festivities today? Whenever you come around / I get weak in the knees and I lose my breath . . .

“The In Crowd” – Lonnie Plaxico, Lafayette Harris Jr.

Doesn’t getting all dolled up for the Kentucky Derby really make you feel like part of the “in crowd”? It’s so nice to feel like you belong somewhere, belong to a community, to an event. So while you’re rejoicing and cherishing these bonds with others, enjoy this upbeat tune from the hot new album Radiance. There’s no better way to feel like a part of the “in crowd” than dancing together as a group.

“Broadway” – WJ3 All-Stars

There is something about the pomp and circumstance of the Kentucky Derby that feels truly theatrical. The tradition, ceremony, extravagance and splendor evoke a Broadway production. Imagine that–a Kentucky Derby musical! Hey, it’s not a bad idea, is it? This year at the Derby, let’s embrace the drama of it all with this tune from Night is Alive’s album My Ship.

“Imagination” – John Di Martino, Harry Allen and others

More is more at the Kentucky Derby, so don’t hold back! Be as imaginative, creative and full of life as you want. Have that extra mint julep if you want, take that extra photo with your bestie, and eat that extra bourbon ball! Why not? And while you live life to the fullest, enjoy this song from Night is Alive’s album Call Me Irresponsible.

Visit Night is Alive’s albums page to explore this music and more.

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Photo by Katee Lue on Unsplash

The Mothers of Jazz

The Great Women of Jazz Vocals (for Mother’s Day)

Are you ready for Mother’s Day this Sunday? Have you gotten your mom a nice card and gift? This year I got my mom a candle, mug and face mask, which may be a bit generic but I think most mothers always enjoy a little bit of pampering. You can’t go wrong with a hot tea, cleansed face and sweet smell wafting in the background, right?

But did you know that Mother’s Day wasn’t originally meant to have been such a commercial holiday? Anna Jarvis, the founder of Mother’s Day, is said to regret the commercialism and expressed that her intention was a liturgical observance. In 1908, Jarvis founded the celebration at the Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton, West Virginia to honor her own mother. Then in 1914, President Wooodrow Wilson established Mother’s Day as an official holiday on the second Sunday of May.

No matter how you celebrate, you’re going to need some music to play at the Mother’s Day festivities! And what better music to listen to than the mothers of jazz? Night is Alive curated a very special playlist for you that features the greatest women jazz vocalists of all time. These are the powerhouse women who didn’t just sing songs but defined the genre. Their voices carry the kind of wisdom, grit, and soul that every mother (and mother figure) understands instinctively. We hope you enjoy these five essential tracks from the queens of the craft this Mother’s Day.

Ella Fitzgerald – Lullaby of Birdland

You can’t have a jazz list without the “First Lady of Song.” While Ella has plenty of tear-jerkers, this 1954 song is pure, caffeinated joy. It’s the perfect track for that mid-morning momentum. Her scatting (improvised singing meant to imitate an instrument) was so effortless it feels like a conversation. “Lullaby of Birdland” reminds us why Ella is the gold standard of vocal technique. It’s light, it’s airy, and it’s guaranteed to get your foot tapping.

Billie Holiday – God Bless the Child

For the moms who appreciate a song with some meat on its bones, this 1941 ballad is essential. It’s a soulful anthem about independence and resilience. Billie’s voice had a unique, textured “lived-in” quality. And did you know that she actually co-wrote this track? Holiday is a bit moodier than Ella, but she carries a depth of emotion that feels like a warm, knowing hug.

Sarah Vaughan – Misty

If Ella is the “First Lady,” then Sarah Vaughan is “The Divine One.” Her range was practically operatic, but she used it with incredible restraint. “Misty,” first recorded in 1958, is her signature tune for a reason. It’s lush, romantic, and velvety–perfect for that moment in the afternoon when everyone is finally sitting down and the house is (hopefully) quiet for five minutes.

Nina Simone – Blues for Mama

Nina Simone wasn’t just a singer; she was a force of nature. “Blues for Mama”, co-written with Abbey Lincoln, brings a grittier, blues-heavy energy to the table. The 1967 song showcases storytelling at its finest. Nina’s deep, rich contralto demands your attention, which makes it a great pick for the mom who prefers a little “High Priestess of Soul” with her Sunday afternoon tea.

Dinah Washington – What a Diff’rence a Day Makes

Known as the “Queen of the Blues,” Dinah Washington has a punchy, clear-as-a-bell delivery. This 1959 track is the ultimate “feel-good” jazz standard. It’s about how quickly life can change for the better–a sentiment that resonates pretty deeply when you’re looking around at a family gathering. It’s sophisticated, timeless, and the perfect closing note for a day dedicated to the women who do it all.

Check out Night is Alive’s music on our albums page!

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Celebrate “5/4 Day” with the “Take Five” Rhythm of Dave Brubeck 

On May 4th, some people may invoke Star Wars and say “May the Fourth Be With You,” but here at Night is Alive, we see 5/4 as a nod to the time signature of “Take Five,” which is arguably the Dave Brubeck Quartet’s most well-known song.

Dave Brubeck was an American jazz pianist and composer, who was active from the 1940s until his death in 2012. He is often regarded as a leading proponent of cool jazz, which was inspired by bebop and big band and became popular after WWII. His style is characterized by unconventional time signatures (such as 5/4!); juxtaposing rhythms, meters and tonalities; and combining different genres.

He formed the Dave Brubeck Quartet in 1951, which had fluctuating members, but was most prolific and famous with the lineup between 1958 and 1967. This lineup included saxophonist Paul Desmond, bassist Eugene Wright and drummer Joe Morello. The U.S. Department of State even sponsored a tour of the quartet in 1958, which featured the notable album Time Out.

Time Out is known for its innovative use of unusual time signatures like 9/8, 6/4 and 5/4. It was recorded at Columbia’s 30th Street Studio in New York City and released in 1959. Time Out album creates a subtle fusion between cool jazz and West Coast influences, and peaked at number two on the Billboard album chart. It was the very first jazz album to sell one million copies, and the standout single, “Take Five” was also the first jazz single to ever sell one million copies!

Despite being associated with Dave Brubeck, “Take Five” was actually first composed by saxophonist Paul Desmond. The story behind the song’s composition is pretty simple: drummer Joe Morello challenged Desmond to compose a piece in 5/4, and so he did! Brubeck then arranged Desmond’s melodies around Morello’s rhythmic ideas, making it a group effort.

“Take Five” is written in quintuple time (5/4) and built around a distinctive blues-scale melody in E♭ minor with a recurring two-chord vamp. The title has a double meaning and refers to both the quintuple meter as well as the colloquial expression “take five,” meaning to take a short break.

So, this year on 5/4, why not take a short break to sit down and really listen to “Take Five”? In our modern age, we’re always rushing to the next item in our jam-packed schedules, but it’s important to slow down and notice the quirks of life, such as the unique sound of a jazz song in 5/4.

Check out Night is Alive’s music on our albums page!

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Photo from https://www.davebrubeck.com/