In Paris Festival International de Jazz [Jazz Factory]

Personnel: Miles Davis (trumpet); Tadd Dameron (piano); James Moody (tenor saxophone); Barney Spieler (bass); Kenny Clarke (drums).
Recorded at the Festival International De Jazz at the Salle Pleyel, Paris, France on May 8 & 16, 1949.
Personnel: Miles Davis (trumpet); Tadd Dameron (piano); James Moody (tenor saxophone); Barney Spieler (bass); Kenny Clarke (drums).
Recording information: 05/08/1949-05/11/1949.
Miles Davis was best-known during the late '40s for offering an alternative approach to trumpeters Dizzy Gillespie and Fats Navarro, emphasizing his middle register, a softer tone and a more thoughtful approach. This concert performance, which was not released until nearly three decades later, shows that Davis was just as capable of playing hard-driving bebop as most of his contemporaries. In a quintet with tenor-saxophonist James Moody and pianist-composer Tadd Dameron, Davis confounded the French audience by playing very impressive high notes and displaying an extroverted personality. Never content to merely satisfy the expectations of his fans, he was already moving in surprising directions. This LP also gives one a very rare opportunity to hear Miles Davis verbally introducing songs in a voice not yet scarred. ~ Scott Yanow