Quote of a Lifetime

"Well, I've changed the course of music five or six times. What have you done except fuck the president?"

-- Miles Davis to Nancy Reagan at a White House dinner, after she asked what he'd done to merit an invitation

Is this quote for real? Who the hell knows, but I'd really like to imagine it is.

Yesterday marked 20 years since Miles's death and, in case you haven't noticed, things just haven't been the same without him.

Here's Miles and Coltrane -- So What.

Listening Post

This song is cold winter mornings before the sun had even come up. Leaving someone I once loved but can't anymore, to slip into the back of a Town Car that would take me to work. Gliding through a sleeping New York City. Music tucked snugly into my ears. There was exhaustion, uncertainty and even a little sadness -- but for a moment, there was peace.

Here's the great John Coltrane and the equally great Duke Ellington -- In a Sentimental Mood.

And, just because, below it's Sting's gorgeous version of My One and Only Love.

Listening Post

One of the greatest pieces of music of the last century -- a cool-as-hell jazz masterpiece.

From 1959, here's Miles and Coltrane -- So What.

Listening Post

From 1961, it's the great John Coltrane live -- Every Time We Say Goodbye.

Listening Post

There's nothing about this that isn't perfect for a Sunday morning.

The Branford Marsalis Quartet, doing Acknowledgement from Coltrane's masterpiece, A Love Supreme.