Miles Davis
Trumpet Solo on
Tune Up

About

Miles Davis's trumpet solo is the first of three solos on this performance. Spanning seven choruses of the 16-bar form in B♭ at a blazing 315 BPM with a swing feel, Davis solos for seven choruses, followed by John Coltrane for seven choruses and Red Garland for three. Davis's technical command is evident throughout, maintaining clarity of articulation and melodic invention at this demanding tempo. The medley then transitions into "When Lights Are Low" by Benny Carter and Spencer Williams, a 32-bar AABA standard in F major at a more relaxed 128 BPM.

Miles Davis was 29 to 30 years old at the time.