In 1959, Miles Davis hired two pianists for the same session. The album ended up being his masterpiece
Miles Davis used two pianists on his 1959 album *Kind of Blue*, choosing Bill Evans for most tracks and Wynton Kelly for “Freddie Freeloader”. The decision surprised Kelly when he arrived at the studio, but drummer Jimmy Cobb reassured him that Davis wanted him for that particular song.
The article presents the choice as an example of Davis’s precise, song-by-song approach to bandleading. The album was recorded over two days, and the pianists each had their own opportunity to contribute; Cobb later recalled that it sounded good from the outset and remained one of his favourites.
In short
- Bill Evans played on most of *Kind of Blue*.
- Wynton Kelly played piano on “Freddie Freeloader”.
- Davis chose the pianist he wanted for each song.
Explained simply
Miles Davis was an American jazz trumpeter and bandleader, known for changing his sound and working with different groups of musicians. In jazz, a session brings musicians together to record; the pianist helps shape the music alongside the soloists and rhythm section.
Bill Evans and Wynton Kelly were both jazz pianists, but they had distinct styles. Davis’s group also included drummer Jimmy Cobb, whose recollections help explain how the musicians worked together.
Kind of Blue was recorded in 1959 and became one of Davis’s best-known albums. Its place in jazz history makes the choices made during its recording a point of interest for listeners learning how the music was put together.