The story behind puzzle No. 48
Miles Davis Quintet · 'Round About Midnight · Columbia · 1956 (released 1957)
Thelonious Monk wrote it, and it became the most recorded standard by a jazz musician. The Miles Davis Quintet's version is one of the most famous.
The Miles Davis Quintet recorded 'Round Midnight on September 10, 1956, at Columbia's 30th Street Studio in New York. It became the title track of 'Round About Midnight, released March 4, 1957.
The quintet was Davis on trumpet, John Coltrane on tenor saxophone, Red Garland on piano, Paul Chambers on bass and Philly Joe Jones on drums.
'Round Midnight is Monk's most recorded tune. It was first recorded on August 22, 1944, by Cootie Williams, after pianist Bud Powell persuaded him to take it on.
Critic Ralph J. Gleason gave the album five stars in DownBeat, calling it modern jazz conceived and executed in the very best style.
Davis plays the melody on muted trumpet, quiet and close to the microphone.
Then a loud horn fanfare breaks the mood and sends Coltrane into his solo. That sudden change is the moment most people remember.
Who's on it
Keep listening
Revisit So What (puzzle No. 1) to hear Davis, Coltrane and Chambers again three years later.
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