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Jazz Articles about George Coleman
Seven Steps: The Complete Columbia Recordings, 1963-1964
by John Kelman
Eagerly anticipated, Seven Steps: The Complete Columbia Recordings of Miles Davis 1963-1964 documents the emergence of Miles' second great quintet, featuring saxophonist Wayne Shorter, pianist Herbie Hancock, bassist Ron Carter and drummer Tony Williams. It demonstrates, over the course of seven discs and seven hours, how critical each member of that quintet was. As the group coalesces over a period of two years it's tangible how everything falls into place, like a set of tumblers on a complicated lock.
Continue ReadingGeorge Coleman: My Horns of Plenty
by Mark F. Turner
This reissue of George Coleman’s recording My Horns of Plenty is a real treat for those wanting to hear the sheer talent of a lesser known saxophonist. Coleman enjoyed his greatest exposure when Miles Davis, who had a knack for surrounding himself with great musicians, featured him early on in his great '60s quintet. But since then, Coleman's musicianship has not waned. The skill and depth of Coleman's playing is clearly evident on this 1991 reissue. Equally adept on soprano, ...
Continue ReadingGeorge Coleman, Mike Stern, Ron Carter, and Jimmy Cobb: 4 Generations of Miles
by AAJ Staff
In terms of star power, this record's got no shortage. Every player in this quartet is a great musician--not just good, but great. That and the fact that 4 Generations of Miles was recorded live should make it exciting just to open the case. Unfortunately, that excitement dissipates not long after you press play. The group is airtight, and each player plays articulately and lyrically, but in the end it just doesn't add up to much more than you've already ...
Continue ReadingGeorge Coleman, Mike Stern, Ron Carter, Jimmy Cobb: 4 Generations Of Miles
by Jim Santella
George Coleman's muscular tone and passionate manner exemplify the core of Miles Davis' art. Along with Mike Stern, Ron Carter and Jimmy Cobb, the tenor saxophonist performed a tribute to Davis earlier this year, on May 12th. Their approach is straight-ahead and right down the middle. It's a comfortable fit. One look at the song listing and you know right away what this is all about. These are the songs Davis played, and here they're interpreted the way Davis believed ...
Continue ReadingGeorge Coleman: Danger High Voltage
by Mark Corroto
George Coleman isn’t just the answer to the trivial pursuit question “Who were the tenor saxophonists in Miles Davis’ Band after John Coltrane and but before Wayne Shorter.” The correct answers; Hank Mobley, Sam Rivers, and George Coleman, if not achieving Miles Davis super-stardom all went on to significant careers. Miles suggested that Coleman left his sixties group because of tension. Davis said he played too perfect and that his bandmates were looking for more freedom and, one can suspect, ...
Continue ReadingEndless Miles: A Tribute to Miles Davis
by Jack Bowers
A well--formed program of contemporary Jazz (for the most part anyway), presented for a good cause as well. A part of the net proceeds from Endlessmiles, recorded by a number of all--star groups at New York City's Birdland on May 26, 1998--the 72nd anniversary of the late trumpeter's birth--will be used to help establish an endowment for young musicians, the MilesDavis.com scholarship, to be administered by the International Association of Jazz Educators (IAJE). Two of the eight songs ...
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