MUSIC 007 YANG

Miles Davis, “Bitches Brew” (Miles Davis), New York, August 19, 1969. Miles Davis, trumpet; Wayne Shorter, soprano sax; Bennie Maupin, bass clarinet; Joe Zawinul, elec. piano (left); Chick Corea, elec. piano (right); John McLaughlin, guitar; Dave Holland, bass; Harvey Brooks, elec. bass; Lenny White, drums (left); Jack DeJohnette, drums (right); Don Alias, congas; Jumma Santos (a.k.a. Jim Riley), shakers. [Original release: Columbia GP-26]
Topic : Miles Davis’ “Bitches Brew” is a groundbreaking fusion recording. We encourage you to listen to the 27-minute recording. For this topic, we’ll focus on three excerpts of the piece. Listen closely to 00:00 to 06:20, 12:43 to 15:57 and 24:00 to the end. How many sections do you count in these excerpts? Provide counter numbers for the beginning of each section. Does this piece have a melody like other jazz pieces you have heard? Do you hear any musical material that his repeated between the three excerpts? “Bitches Brew” presents examples of the jazz-rock fusion style such as: 1) the use of electrified instruments, 2) straight rock beats instead of swing and the swung 8th note, 3) repetitive funk-style riffs, 4) highly dissonant, multi-layered textures, 5) hypnotic pulse. Listen to these excerpts and provide counter numbers where all five of these aspects can be heard. Describe in detail how these aspects support the different sections of the excerpts. How does this piece end? Does this piece sound composed? Are the musicians in this group playing written parts as it was traditionally done in earlier jazz ensembles? Describe how these musicians collectively created this piece. How does Davis lead the musicians in this group as they play collectively?