Requisites

Jazz at The Plaza, Volume 1  ~ The Miles Davis Sextet | By Eddie Carter

Submitted for your approval this morning is the first of two unique 1973 albums, capturing an unforgettable event. Jazz at The Plaza, Volume 1 (Columbia C 32470) is a live recording of a jazz party hosted by Columbia Records in The Persian Room of New York City’s Plaza Hotel on September 9, 1958. This celebration represented a significant moment in Columbia’s history, acknowledging the impressive talent of jazz artists on the label’s roster. The guests enjoyed a performance by The Miles Davis Sextet during the first set: Miles Davis on trumpet, Julian “Cannonball” Adderley (tracks: A1, B2) on alto sax, John Coltrane (A1, B1, B2) on tenor sax, Bill Evans on piano, Paul Chambers on bass, and Jimmy Cobb on drums. My copy is the original U.S. Stereo release.

The album opener is misidentified as Jazz at The Plaza on the back cover and record label, but it is Thelonious Monk’s Straight, No Chaser. The song’s brisk pace sets the stage for the sextet’s lively introduction and theme. Miles delivers a vigorous opening statement, followed by John’s adventurous interpretation. Cannonball provides an energetic solo next. Bill makes a concise contribution before the ensemble returns for the finale and a brief presentation of the sextet’s theme. The pace slows for Bill’s introduction to the Rodgers and Hart classic My Funny Valentine. This highlight of the quartet sees Miles switching to the mute for the gentle melody and a beautiful solo. Bill follows with an enchanting statement, and Paul walks delicately toward the closing chorus and sensitive climax.

If I Were a Bell by Frank Loesser opens the second side with a short piano introduction that segues into the ensemble’s medium melody. Miles takes the lead with an agile, muted opening statement. John continues wailing in a spirited performance. Bill sinks his teeth into a captivating interpretation next, leading to the theme’s restatement and conclusion. Oleo by Sonny Rollins raises the tempo for Miles’s muted introduction, which leads to the sextet’s quick theme. Miles starts the opening statement with infectious heat, while John fuels the following performance with electrifying notes. Cannonball launches into a furiously hard-driving solo next, and then Bill keeps the fire burning with a concise comment. Paul has his turn in a short interlude before Miles guides the way to a speedy culmination.

Teo Macero and Irving Townsend produced Jazz at The Plaza, Volume 1, with recording engineer Russ Payne capturing the event for posterity. While the sound quality may not meet Columbia’s usual high standards, its unique charm conveys the exhilarating energy of the group’s performances. After listening to this album, I’ll be looking to find its companion, Jazz at The Plaza, Volume 2, featuring Duke Ellington and His Orchestra, Billie Holiday, and Jimmy Rushing. If you appreciate the trumpeter’s work from the fifties, I recommend exploring Jazz at The Plaza, Volume 1 by The Miles Davis Sextet, on your next record hunt. It offers a compelling snapshot of the ensemble’s fiery live performance and should make a worthy addition to any jazz enthusiast’s library!

Postscript: The owners of the long-out-of-print Mosaic Records box set, The Complete Columbia Recordings of Miles Davis With John Coltrane, also has a copy of Jazz at The Plaza, Volume 1.

~ Jazz at The Plaza, Volume 2 (Columbia C 32471), The Complete Columbia Recordings of Miles Davis With John Coltrane (Mosaic Records MQ9-191) – Source: Discogs.com

~ Straight, No Chaser – Source: JazzStandards.com

~ If I Were a Bell – Source: Wikipedia.org

© 2025 by Edward Thomas Carter

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ARTEMIS

Fresh off their 2nd consecutive win for “Jazz Group of the Year” in the Downbeat Readers Poll, Aretemis returns with their third Blue Note album Arboresque. The album and the group features the quintet helmed by pianist and musical director Renee Rosnes, trumpeter Ingrid Jensen, tenor saxophonist Nicole Glover, bassist Noriko Ueda, and drummer Allison Miller.

A paean to the sheer joy of collaboration and creativity, the album also explores a theme of natural and environmental beauty. This is the debut performance of Artemis and celebration of their album release at the legendary New York City venue.

Tickets: $40.00 + fee

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LIFE, LOVE & LENNY

A Celebration of the life and music of Lenny White

The iconic Grammy-winning drummer, who is among jazz music’s most prolific and celebrated artists, producers, composers and sidemen — will be fêted at a one-night-only celebration filled with music and memories at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall.

Presented by Tzedakah 4 All, the event will feature performances in multiple combinations – Return to Forever w/ Stanley Clarke, Al DiMeola and orchestra conducted by Maestro Steve Mecurio, Miles Davis Bitches Brew, Red Clay, Echoes of an Era, as well as exploring material from his illustrious five + decade career. Laurence Fishburne will serve as emcee with appearances from fellow artists Buster Williams, Omar Hakim, Patrice Rushen, Al Foster, Mike Clark, Billy Hart, and Billy Drummond.

Tickets: $175.00~$250.00

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DUANE EUBANKS

Trumpeter and flugelhornist Duane Eubanks is known for his participation in the Dave Holland Big Band. He studied jazz at Temple University, where he played with Wynton Marsalis and Billy Taylor, and also spent two years training with Johnny Coles.

Eubanks has also performed with many other musicians and musical groups, including Defunkt, Rhonda Ross, Oliver Lake, Mulgrew Miller, and the Wu-Tang Clan. Since 1998, he has been on the faculty of the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music.

The Band: Duane Eubanks ~ Trumpet |  Anthony Wonsey ~ Piano | Kyle Colina ~ Bass | Ocie Davis ~ Drums

No cover. One Drink minimum. Tips for musicians encouraged.

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The Jazz Voyager

So the Jazz Voyager is going international and thankfully is in a city with an international airport. Georgia to Argentina is 5,015 miles and ten hours later I will be landing at Ministro Pistarini International Airport. Situated in Ezeiza about 20 miles from the city center, a forty minute cab ride will take me to the exclusive Recoleta neighborhood. The cool thing is I’ll be staying at the Meliá Recoleta Plaza Hotel and inside is the club, Jazz Voyeur.  So it will be an elevator ride downstairs to hear some great music.

After speniding the day exploring the city on tap for listening is vocalist and trumpeter Mike Sinagra, joined by Manuel Fraga on piano and vocals, Pablo Motta on double bass and drummer Oscar Giunta. They’ll be paying tribute to the Rat Pack, recreating the eternal classics and the wide repertoire of Frank Sinatra, and his hit songs by Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin, Nat King Cole, Louis Armstrong, Ray Charles, Charles Aznavour, Neil Diamond, Joe Cocker, Carlos Gardel.

Cover: $13,000 ARS ($12.22) ~ $15,000 ARS ($14.10)

Jazz Voyeur is situated at Posadas 1557, C1112ADA Cdad Buenos Aires,. For more information visit https://jazzvoyeur.com.ar.

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