Miles Davis’s birthplace, Alton, Illinois, has announced that it will honor its famous son by erecting a statue. Here are excerpts from the story by Kathie Bassett in Alton’s newspaper, The Telegraph.
Alton Mayor Tom Hoechst unveiled the plan to put a life-sized statue in the
heart of Downtown’s entertainment district on Third Street.
This is awesome,” said Brett Stawar, president of Alton’s CVB. “We believe in Miles Davis’ legacy, and I’m excited to see the plan evolve to include a statue that will add another layer to Alton’s visitor experience.”
The initial concept for the statue is that it most likely will mirror the renowned trumpeter’s sinuous pose featured on the commemorative stamp set to be issued on June 12 in New York City, said Charlene Gill, founder and president emeritus of the Alton museum.
To read the whole story and Telegraph readers’ comments, go here.
Miles would no doubt be pleased, but he might very well say, “So What.”
The nonagenarian pianist presented de Barros with every biographer’s hope, unrestricted access to his subject’s personal papers and nearly unrestricted access to her private thoughts. He made the most of it, turning exhaustive research and hundreds of hours of interviews into a true story with the sweep of a novel. From the early discovery of McPartland’s musical gift through her wartime service, her ecstatic and stormy marriage to Jimmy McPartland, her growth as a pianist, her deep affair with Joe Morello, and the radio show that made her a national figure, she has had a fascinating life. It makes a splendid read.
Mulligan’s Concert Jazz Band had three fewer musicians than most big jazz outfits. Its size permitted precision, flexibility and subtlety, yet the band had the power of sprung steel. In this concert from a half century ago, the CJB is as fresh as yesterday. Arrangements by Mulligan, Bob Brookmeyer, Al Cohn and Johnny Mandel set standards to which big band writers still aspire. Bassist Buddy Clark and drummer Mel Lewis inspired Mulligan, Brookmeyer, Conte Candoli, Gene Quill and Zoot Sims to some of the best soloing of their careers. This beautifully produced issue of the complete concert is a basic repertoire item.
Uh oh, that way madness lies: http://bit.ly/d6DKBK