Milestones, recorded August 14, 1947, is a significant early Miles Davis composition performed under his name as leader of the Miles Davis All Stars. The 32-bar AABA form in B-flat, composed by John Lewis, is taken at approximately 157-161 BPM with a swing feel. This is not to be confused with Davis's later and more famous modal composition of the same name from 1958. Davis leads with a one-chorus trumpet solo, followed by John Lewis with a half-chorus on piano, and, notably, Charlie Parker playing tenor saxophone rather than his customary alto for a quarter-chorus. Parker's rare appearance on tenor gives this recording a distinctive character, as his sound on the larger horn is darker and weightier than his alto voice. This session, one of Davis's first as a leader for Savoy, documents his emerging artistic independence while still benefiting from Parker's presence. The quintet also includes Tommy Potter on bass and Max Roach on drums, maintaining the core rhythm section of Parker's working band.
