The American trumpeter
Miles Davis first played at the Berliner Philharmonie in 1964 during Jazzfest Berlin. He would return there, until his death in 1991, eight more times. In 2021, his 30th death anniversary was celebrated in this classical concert hall with an edition of Jazz at Berlin Philharmonic. The CD Sketches Of Miles is the 12th recording from this unsurpassed concert series, invariably
… released by the German label ACT. The leading role this time is played by the American trumpeter Theo Crocker, who with his mix of hip-hop, fusion and other black musical styles (he himself does not want to call it jazz) is at least as pioneering as Davis was in his time. With his quartet he now approaches the sound of Davis and his (modal) band from the 1960s. Sometimes they come almost uncomfortably close, as in My Funny Valentine, filled with trumpet notes as plaintive as they are powerful. On CD two they are assisted by members of the house orchestra in a number of suites around Davis' orchestral albums with arranger Gil Evans. All beautifully, atmospherically and very authentically performed, so in the end Sketches Of Miles makes one reach for the original Miles Davis albums above all. (MR)more
