Discover the greatest stories from jazz history
The best stories and anecdotes from more than 100 years of jazz
When Coltrane & Getz Shared the Stage: A Rare 1960 European Jam
Jazz history is often told through famous bands. Miles Davis’s First Great Quintet. The John Coltrane Quartet. Oscar Peterson’s trio. Stan … Read more
10 Essential Billy Strayhorn Tunes
Billy Strayhorn wrote “Take the ‘A’ Train” in 1939, a few months into a job with Duke Ellington that had no … Read more
Miles Davis Recorded Four Classic Albums in Two Days — To Get Out of His Contract
In 1956, Miles Davis had a problem most musicians would recognize: he owed his record label albums he no longer wanted … Read more
Stan Getz & The Brief Solo That Launched “The Sound”
Some jazz careers begin with a spectacular breakthrough. Others build more slowly, through a performance that gradually catches the attention of … Read more
Miles Davis Played a Pimp on Miami Vice. Here’s the Story.
Few people would have predicted that jazz legend Miles Davis’ first acting role would come in a network cop show. Fewer … Read more
Miles Davis and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
The 2006 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony was, by all accounts, something a mess. Blondie feuded onstage over which … Read more
When Joni Mitchell Assembled One of the Greatest Touring Bands in Jazz History
Imagine buying a ticket to see Joni Mitchell in 1979. You would have expected one of the greatest singer-songwriters of her … Read more
Dave Brubeck Cancelled 23 Concerts Rather Than Replace His Bassist
In 1960, Dave Brubeck was one of the most bankable names in jazz — and he spent that year turning down … Read more
What Is Jazz? The Smithsonian Weighs In
Some questions refuse to stay answered. Ask ten jazz musicians “what is jazz” is and you’ll get ten different answers — … Read more
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