“I’ll Play it First” | An Immersive Listening of Bitches Brew

Bitches Brew, released as a double record in 1970s was a snapshot of Miles Davis’s life in ’69, a year of musical revolutions. Genre-bending, Bitches Brew is a bruiting combination of jazz, rock, and the avant-garde. Having just finished a tour with his new quintet, ‘The Lost Band’ (Wayne Shorter, Chick Corea, Dave Holland and Jack DeJohnette); he slipped into the studio with musicians like virtuosic guitarist John McLaughlin, and expressive keyboardist Joe Zawinul, to create Bitches Brew.

Working once more with his right-hand man producer, Teo Macero, Miles set forth to record a historic session later called Bitches Brew. Join us for this Olio about Miles Davis, his life, musical influence, and for a close listening of the album where we’ll direct what makes this music, a recorded slice of history, so incredibly monumental. Optional homework for our deep listening session is to read the 33 1/3 series book of the same title (Bitches Brew) and take a listen to the album before coming—repeated listenings are always helpful in gaining a greater understanding of the music.

Teacher: Whitney George

George holds an undergraduate degree from the California Institute of the Arts, a masters degree from Brooklyn College Conservatory, and is currently continuing her studies as a PhD candidate at the CUNY Grad Center. In addition to her composing and conducting, George teaches at Brooklyn College, works at the Hitchcock Institute of American Studies and is the Managing Director for New York’s AME.

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