We Want Miles

In 1982, I went to a memorable Miles Davis concert on Pier 84, as part of the Dr. Pepper Summer Music Festival. Forty some-odd years later, Marcus Miller led many of the same musicians in a Miles Davis 100th birthday tribute concert at SF Jazz. The music was fantastic then and equally fantastic today. When they started into the first driving funk groove and the trumpet player layered the first few muted-tone notes on top, it gave me goosebumps.

The musicians at both concerts included Marcus Miller (bass), Bill Evans (sax), Mike Stern (guitar), and Mino Cinelu (percussion) and they were joined by youngsters Anwar Marshall (drums) and Russell Gunn (trumpet). Marcus told the story of what it was like to be called by Miles Davis and how the band was assembled back then, person by person.

Although most of the music was from the 1980s “comeback” period for Miles in the 1980s, a special feature was that they also tackled In a Silent Way and Bitches Brew. Both were very moving. Marcus played bass clarinet for Bitches Brew.

It was the past performance of the current band’s tour and they enjoyed stretching out in a 2-hour concert. On Jean Pierre, each musician took their solo as far out as they wanted to, with Bill Evans playing at screaming intensity. For an encore, Marcus laid down the groove for Tutu, which turned into a 12-bar blues in the middle, allowing a jam session vibe. Marcus and Mike traded fours, each following the other’s lines at blazing speeds.

Wikipedia on “We Want Miles”

Details