16 Comments
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richie beirach's avatar

lewis great article !! thank you so much

best

richie beirach

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Lewis Porter's avatar

Thank you, friend!

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Henry NYC-ATL Connection's avatar

Great article, Lewis— well researched. I have previously posted on my Facebook page a 1953 radio segment with Miles guesting on a jazz show on KXLW East St. Louis with DJ Harry Frost, before his vocal problems, which I’m sure you’ll include as part of your next article: https://youtu.be/5CvG3jEGr9w

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Lewis Porter's avatar

Yes, thank you--I've had that for many years, since before it was ever on Youtube. I like how you have provided information, timings etc. Well done!

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Henry NYC-ATL Connection's avatar

Thanks— us jazz fanatics gotta be thorough, right? ;-)

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Jeff Rupert's avatar

Great information, very thorough.

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Lewis Porter's avatar

Thank you Jeff!

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Henry NYC-ATL Connection's avatar

Great stuff!

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Lewis Porter's avatar

THANKS!

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David Kreuter's avatar

Erudite and scholarly research. Miles the Miles or the myth. Choose. Great read love your writing.

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David Kreuter's avatar

Should read Miles the man Miles the myth. Sorry

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Lewis Porter's avatar

I thought so—thanks!

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John Reilly's avatar

One possible source of negativity about Miles Davis is His reported negative commentary about the musicianship of Billy Taylor , who is a beloved figure in NYC . Is this fair to say ? Musicians rarely give negative views of other musicians in the press .

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Lewis Porter's avatar

Your point is well taken. It is a kind of unwritten rule that you don't speak badly of your fellow musicians. And Miles broke that rule many times, not only with Billy (who I knew and loved). However, the fans could care less who Miles put down--if anything they got a kick out of it. And in my experience it's mostly the fans who talk so rudely about Miles, all over the internet. Musicians are more reverential. So it's still a bit of a mystery. THANKS JOHN

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Jazz For Debby's avatar

Congratulations for this extraordinary article. Without a doubt, your wisdom makes us lovers of modern jazz know its history a little more every day. The life and work of Miles Davis is certainly worthy of study and we will never know everything about him.

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Lewis Porter's avatar

Thank you!

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