About The Song
So What is the opening track on Miles Davis’s 1959 album Kind of Blue. It is one of the most famous and influential jazz compositions of all time. The song is a modal jazz composition, which means that it is based on a mode, or scale, rather than a chord progression. This gives the song a unique and open sound that is both challenging and accessible.
Miles Davis was a trumpeter, bandleader, and composer who is widely considered to be one of the most important figures in the history of jazz. He was born in Alton, Illinois, in 1926, and began his career as a bebop musician in the early 1940s. In the 1950s, he helped to pioneer the development of cool jazz and modal jazz. He continued to be a major force in jazz until his death in 1991.
So What was composed by Davis in 1959, shortly before the recording sessions for Kind of Blue. The song is based on the Dorian mode, which is a scale that is often used in modal jazz. The song’s melody is simple and memorable, and it is built around a series of descending chromatic lines.
The recording of So What features Davis on trumpet, John Coltrane on tenor saxophone, Cannonball Adderley on alto saxophone, Bill Evans on piano, Paul Chambers on bass, and Jimmy Cobb on drums. The performance is relaxed and unhurried, and the musicians create a sense of space and atmosphere that is perfectly suited to the modal style.
So What has been covered by many artists, including John Cale, Jeff Buckley, and K.D. Lang. It has also been used in several films and television shows, including The Sopranos and Mad Men. The song is a classic of jazz, and it continues to be performed and enjoyed by audiences around the world.
Here are some additional details about the song:
- The song is in the key of D Dorian.
- The song’s tempo is moderate.
- The song’s form is AABA.
- The song is based on a modal vamp.
- The song features solos by Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Cannonball Adderley, and Bill Evans.
So What is a landmark composition in the history of jazz. It is a beautiful and influential song that continues to be enjoyed by audiences around the world.