Marissa Membreno

Composition HistoryProfessor Tyler T. Oliphant

Miles Davis

Song selection #1 “I fall in Love Too Easily” by Miles Davis is from the album titled “Seven Steps To Heaven”. This album tracks the evolution of Davis working band over three sessions in 1963 this was the last studio work he would do until early 1965. The first two sessions recorded are in the presences of tenor saxophonist George Coleman, pianist Victor Feldman, bassist Ron Carter and drummer Frank Butler. “I fall in Love Too Easily” like all of the tracks focuses on him lyrically.

Seven Steps To Heaven

0:00 to 0:16 Introduction with the piano by Victor Feldman.0:16 to 2:19 Introduction of the trumpet by Miles Davis, with intermissions made by the piano as well as the bass by Ron Carter2:19 to 2:48 Continuation of the trumpet and piano with an introduction made by the drums, played by Frank Butler2:48 to 2:53 The piano and trumpet have a brief solo, pausing quickly to present the piano and then the trumpet2:53 to 3:10 The trumpet is reintroduced3:10 to 3:26 There is an introduction to the tenor saxophone by George Coleman, the bass is also introduced

“ I Fall In Love To Easily”

3:26 to 4:03 The trumpet is introduced in combination with the bass, and the piano. 4:03 to 4:43 The trumpet fades and there is an introduction to the piano and bass play, with a greater emphasis on the bass. 4:43 to 5:50 The piano takes the lead and you can hear the tremble of the bass in the background.5:50 to 6:46 The Trumpet is reintroduced the bass continues in the back ground, ending with the trembling of the bass and brief on and off introduction from the trumpet.

“I Fall In Love Too Easily”

Porgy and Bess is a studio album that was released by Jazz musician Miles Davis in 1959. The album was recorded over series of four sessions. This was the 2nd collaboration by Miles Davis and Gil Evans, the album has been referred to as the best of their collaborations. “Bess, You Is My Woman Now” was recorded on 7/29/58 and produced by George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin and DuBose Heyward. Davis was dissatisfied with bebop which was a style of Jazz characterized by very fast tempo, instrumental virtuosity and improvisation based on the combination of simultaneous tones, notes and melodies. Davis felt hindered by the complex chord changes. Davis became inspired by George Russell’s approach of “Lydian Chromatic Concept of Tonal Organization” because he viewed this as an opportunity to stray away from dense cord laden composition.

“Porgy and Bess”

0:00 to 0:18 Song begins with the trumpet, symbols and the bass0:18 to 0:22 Tempo remains the same and becomes more passionate with the addition of the tuba, saxophone, alto flute, bass flute and bass clarinet0:22 to 0:39 Trumpet solo with a light symbol in the background0:39 to 1:00 Trumpet solo continues with the progression of the symbol, the timbre of the trumpet fades until it comes to a complete stop.1:00 to 1:11 Soft trombone with horns1:11 to 1:26 Solo trumpet with background symbols increasing in tempo, leading to a crescendo. 1:26 to 1:36 Trumpet continues playing, tempo slows in the background

“Bess, You Is My Woman Now”

1:36 to 1:46 Trumpet continues playing, with the joining of horns and up tempo1:46 to 1:56 Steady tempo1:56 to 2:06 Horns fade and dynamic becomes louder, you can faintly hear the flute and clarinet2:06 to 2:16 Trumpet becomes more dynamic, the rhythm of the trumpet takes over the trumpets presences, horns and trombone are heard2:16 to 2:26 Trumpet and trombone fade sequential and the rhythm of the trombone then is reintroduced 2:26 to 2:37 Solo trumpet continues, brief intro made by the flugelhorn

“Bess, You Is My Woman Now”

2:37 to 2:47 Trumpet plays with the incorporation of the alto saxophone, alto saxophone fades, trumpet continues playing2:47 to 2:57 Trumpet solo continues, bass flute makes an appearance and fades2:57 to 3:07 Trumpet solo continues 3:07 to 3:17 Trumpet and bass flute play3:17 to 3:27 Dramatic notes played by the trumpet, bass and symbols continue in the background3:27 to 3:37 Trumpet continues playing, flute, alto flute and clarinet make a brief appearance

“Bess, You Is My Woman Know”

3:37 to 3:47 Dramatic emphasis with the trumpet, flugelhorn, horn and tuba3:47 to 3:57 Trumpet continues playing, flugelhorn enters and exits 3:57 to 4:07 Flugelhorn solo4:07 to 4:17 Trumpet makes way for flute, alto flute, and clarinet4:17 to 4:27 Trumpet continues to play, rhythm of the trumpet increases and decreases, symbols have a steady noted pace.4:27 to 4:37 Symbols slow down, flute, alto flute and clarinet are present

“Bess, You Is My Woman Know”

4:37 to 4:47 Horns give way to trumpet solo, wind instruments fade4:47 to 4:57 Trumpet solo fades, all instruments give way to alto flute solo4:57 to 5:12 Somber horn finale

“Bess, You Is my Woman Know”

www.youtube.com for the following videos “Miles Davis - Bess, You Is My Woman Now” and “I Fall In Love To Easily”

Miles Davis Image is brought to you courtesy of www.jazz.com from “THE DOZENS: TWELVE ESSENTIAL HERBIE HANCOCK PERFORMANCES” by Ted Gioia

Works Cited