Miles Davis
Trumpet Solo on
When Lights Are Low

About

Miles Davis's trumpet solo is the first of three solos on this performance. Spanning two choruses of the 32-bar AABA form in F at a moderate 128 BPM with a swing feel, Davis solos for seven choruses, followed by John Coltrane for seven choruses and Red Garland for three. Davis's trumpet improvisation demonstrates strong melodic construction and rhythmic assurance, building the solo through carefully shaped phrases that balance virtuosity with lyricism. 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.