New book about Miles Davis' 'Lost Quintet'

A new book ‘The Miles Davis Lost Quintet and Other Revolutionary Ensembles’ is to be published, written by pianist and music historian Bob Gluck. The book looks at the revolutionary band which featured saxophonist Wayne Shorter, pianist Chick Corea, Bristish bass man Dave Holland and drummer Jack DeJohnette. Later additions included saxophonist Steve Grossman, Brazilian percussionist Airto and Keith Jarrett. It was Miles’ first electronic outing as leader, a hugely influential era for the trumpeter that shifted the paradigm in jazz and American music.

Gluck blogged in 2013 about the output of this band saying, “one can identify a truly creative musician by how that person changes, adapts, and innovates to respond to new information, new situations, and in-the-moment “changes in the weather.” The same holds for creative bands. As I listen closely to concert recordings of Miles Davis’s “Lost” Quintet, 1969-1970, one hears exactly this kind of dynamism.”

Gluck also looks at other exploratory bands during this period and recognises the influence of saxophonists John Coltrane and Ornette Coleman.

The author is in the final throws of designing the 256 page book before its release in 2016.