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Western Michigan University's Keith Hall talks about jazz greats and talks with current practitioners of the art.0000017c-60f7-de77-ad7e-f3f73a350002

Jazz Currents: Miles Davis, The Early Years (Pt 1)

Tom Palumbo via Wikipedia Commons

Trumpeter and bandleader Miles Davis had a career that spanned over 50 years. He recorded over 100 albums as a leader, and was a primary voice in many of the important developments in jazz history. In the first of five Jazz Currents episodes, Keith Hall celebrates what would have been the 90th birthday of one of the most influential musicians of all time. 

This episode covers Davis's early years in East St. Louis, Illinois and his move to New York City, where he had profound experiences with Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie during the bebop era. We also listen to his early collaborations with Gil Evans on the pivotal album 'Birth of the Cool.'

1. Joshua (Victor Feldman/Miles Davis) from Miles Davis-7 Steps to Heaven

2. Ornithology (Charlie Parker) from Charlie Parker –Complete Savoy Recordings

3. Ah-Leu-Cha (Charlie Parker) from Charlie Parker –Complete Savoy Recordings

4. Now's the Time (Charlie Parker) from Charlie Parker –Complete Savoy Recordings

5. Billie's Bounce (Charlie Parker) from Charlie Parker–Complete Savoy Recordings

6. Oo Bop Sh'Bam (Dizzy Gillespie/Kenny Clarke) from Billy Eckstine and His Orchestra

7. Donna Lee (Miles Davis) from Charlie Parker –Complete Savoy Recordings

8. Milestones (John Lewis) from Miles Davis' All-Stars

9. Boplicity (Miles Davis/Gil Evans) from Miles Davis-Birth of the Cool

10. Jeru (Gerry Mulligan) from Miles Davis-Birth of the Cool

11. Israel (Johnny Carisi) from Miles Davis-Birth of the Cool

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As Chief Engineer for WMUK, Martin Klemm is kept busy by tending to a variety of issues - from computers to tower lights - he will never run out of things to fix. Before coming to WMUK in 2003, Martin worked in Los Angeles making records with some outstanding producers, but preferred to be close to his family here in west Michigan. He enjoys keeping a busy schedule balancing WMUK, loving on his friends' doggos, and remodeling his home in the Edison neighborhood (which never seems to end)
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