Miles Davis Quintet, 1st album
*The Miles Davis Quintet is celebrated on this date in 1955. These were two jazz groups formed from 1955 to early 1969, led by Miles Davis. Most references relate to two distinct and relatively stable bands: the First Great Quintet from 1955 to 1959 and the Second Great Quintet from late 1964 to early 1969, Davis being the only constant throughout.
The quintet underwent frequent personnel changes toward its metamorphosis into a different ensemble in 1969. In the summer of 1955, after Davis performed at the Newport Jazz Festival, he was approached by Columbia Records, who offered him a contract if he could form a regular band.
Davis assembled his first regular quintet to meet a commitment at the Café Bohemia in July with Sonny Rollins on tenor saxophone, Red Garland on piano, Paul Chambers on bass, and Philly Joe Jones on drums. By the late spring, he had hired the core of the Second Quintet with Herbie Hancock on piano, Ron Carter on bass, and Tony Williams on drums. Initially with George Coleman or Sam Rivers on tenor sax, the final member of the quintet arrived in late 1964 when saxophonist Wayne Shorter joined.
