Miles Davis - So What (Official Video) 

Thank God someone filmed this, recorded this, and that we can go online and watch it in 2018 from anywhere in the world. We're so lucky, I pray the next generations experience even greater gifts that these.

Miles Davis, trumpet; John Coltrane, tenor; Wynton Kelly, piano; Paul Chambers, bass; Jimmy Cobb, drums; Gil Evans Orchestra, background riffs. 2 Apr 1959, Studio 61.

isn't this just one of the coolest videos of all time, what happened to this level of cool

Man, Coltrane's solo here is just amazing, he plays so fast but at the same time is so coherent and emotional, the timing is right, and the tone is fucking sweet. It contrasts with Miles' part well too.

Miles never overplayed. Miles never felt the need to prove himself to anyone by playing fast, though obviously he could. He just laid back in the pocket and said what he wanted to say. Clearly, concisely and without pretense. For me this is what a true Master does. He gets his point across so that anyone can understand...

at 1:18 Coltrane is like: Ok I better get my shit ready to follow that. And of course he does.

We got to be grateful to have this gem accessible in the palm of our hands.

2023 and still one of the best jazz recordings ever produced

Saw Miles at The Village Gate NYC in 1968. Richard Pryor was the opening act. $3.50 cover. One drink minimum. Being old has it's advantages Z.

"I don't often take smoke breaks, but when I do them, I do them in the middle of the coolest song ever."--Miles

The magnificent Miles Davis and the spectacular John Coltrane, ladies and gentlemen! It doesn't get any better! Two icons!! Incredible! R.I.P. to both!

In my car because I can't sleep. It's 3:15am and while I sit in suburban Philadelphia, I watch this video. I've heard this number at least 10,000 times in my life, but it's nothing sweeter than this video footage right here. Phenomenal capture and so happy, u can come here anytime to watch. Thank you.

Coltrane's solo is so intense, it contrasts well against such a simple melody that seems to have just 2 musical notes. I liked Miles's musical ideas during this period.

As a kid in the 90s I first heard this and thought this is what adulthood sounded like

Coltrane is the hot shot, but I love Miles Davis insane control and his subtlety and his TONE. It reaches outside of jazz.

Thank GOD this piece of musical history was filmed .

At the age of 76 I now realize why these guys are immortal. They are actually honest to God musicians.

This is golden, everyone is awesome, but John Coltrane, in his short solo, is amazing. So precise.

1:42 This shot goes way too hard. With the dude in the back smoking as Miles lays out some of the tastiest tunes you'll ever hear

The way Coltrane emerged gives me chills every time I listen to this PERFECT song!! Timeless

The coolest 9 minutes EVER!!!

Miles and Trane. Two of the coolest humans to ever walk the planet!

I queued for return tickets in London in 1985 and the queue was more than worth it. I got to see Miles Davis live from a box seat. Unforgotten to this day and deep in my heart.

My Father R.I.P. Used To Always Play This On Tape When I Was A Child Man I Miss My Father So Much For These Great Memories.

I'm a 12 year old drummer and asked my teacher to teach me jazz and this is the first jazz song I learned. So glad I asked him. This song is just amazing and I can listen to it for hours.

The older jazz gets and the more it enters history, the more clear it is what an essential bridge this music is between the past and what we think of as "modernity." Not only modern music, but modern culture, what began to arise in the middle of the 20th century and is on overdrive today. Seminal stuff here.

I’m 30 years old, born in ‘92. I try to tell my students at the high school I work at, that THIS IS MUSIC. Nothing like some Miles Davis n Coltrane to start my day with some coffee the smell of morning dew. 🤧🤧 That.. is LIFE.

The first time I heard this and the Kind of Blue album I literally cried. It hit me hard. I can't even describe the sounds I heard. I had never felt this way about any music.

...it never gets old. Miles Davis delivers about the most perfect solo there is to start this gem of a performance. And then John Coltrane takes flight, masterful. This piece of film is a national treasure, or should be. The greatest art form this country ever produced, with two of it's greatest practitioners in top form.

R.I.P. Miles Davis (1926-1991)

To think...this was from a half hour special on CBS, featuring Miles and company. Airing on national network TV, circa 1959. Amazing.

Wynton Kelly on keys shows great restraint by not trying to pick up on Coltrane's intensity but rather brings a smooth and easy break between Coltrane and Miles. It gives the listener a bit of a breather with simple but pleasing phrasing that's like a palette cleanser after the rush of Coltrane's intensity so that the listener doesn't get exhausted trying to keep up with the cascades of notes from 'Trane and Miles. Really artful display of less is more by Kelly.

I've been trying to quit smoking so I thought I would listen to some cool jazz...who has a light?

haha i love the bit where coltrane takes over and you catch a glance of miles just having a quick smoke in the corner

This is my first time listening to jazz.I now understand what my wife feels. I now feel it too🎉😮😊

back when music was music

This is what cool looks and sounds like, each musician giving 'space' to each other's creativity. The epitome of true cool. Eternal.

Kind of Blue was my first introduction to jazz. Opened a new world to me.

This is the kind of song that makes you wanna go to a bar, order scotch and smoke cigarretes while you think about your life while the bartender cleans a glass for the millionth time.

Considering Miles just got out of heroin abuse a few years prior and immediately got a contract at Columbia Records, releasing this masterpiece is just another testament to what an amazing artist Miles truly was. An inspiration for generations.

My older brother was named after miles Davis.. my dad played drums for nearly 70 years.... great jazz drummer taking me to many gigs x we lost our dad in April.. just two weeks ago me and my brother heard this playing in the hilton where we were staying .. my brother miles said " it's dad Joe he giving us a sign " my dad's favourite track of all time xx

When you listen to Miles, and you feel like you know and understand him. The feel is just crazy, you start crafting better in your own field. By him being himself he allows you to be your best self too.

What a precious and beautiful music.

This song and entire album NEVER gets old. Every time I listen to it, it sounds fresh. This entire band is amazing.

When your mastery over an instrument is like Coletrane's, your direct thoughts just come straight out the end of the Sax. There's nothing stopping the flow.

Having the blessing of live footage of Coltrane playing is like having footage of Beethoven playing the piano or conducting a symphony...a true joy.

So what? It's simply brilliant jazz!

Miles is one of a kind , Love Miles , Dizzy , Louis and Chet

Coltrane makes Miles drop his "Cool",for a split-second,lol 3:40-3:42,his facial expression is priceless.Two Masters of their craft.Peace

You can say cool or say Miles. The definition is the same.

So few minimalists today that let the music speak for itself. No lights, costumes, bombs, trapeze stuff just a few guys defining time in their own creative way replete with volume dynamics, manipulation of tempo and tone; its a woven tapestry for all to listen and study. This tune always makes me think.

The best jazz instrumental composition ever

You can her the instruments say “so what” amazing 💯

Small brain: This video is entirely in black and white. Big brain: The video is actually kind of blue.

Miles and Coltrane on the same stage! So cooooool!!!😊

The Kind of Blue LP still gives me chills. This live performance is wonderful.

03:36 how he turns to see Coltrane and how the other guy smiles just after that wonderful melody... one of the beautiest thing ive ever heard/seen

I love how Miles walks out of the camera's shot and let's Paul Chambers and his double bass take centre stage. Jimmy Cobb's brushwork is sublime.

Coltrane is blowing minds!! Miles is just so cool in his approach to melody! I love how each solo piece from each band member takes you on a journey. No one is really better than anybody else, just different, and it's such a trip to see how people translate their emotion into music. Everyone has a story to tell!

This is the best definition of Jazz on the planet!! This is Jazz, Jazz is this!!

What a special moment in time and place..., I wonder if each of these wonderfully talented musicians realized at that moment how special and everlasting this recording was and would be...? And here it is today for the world to hear and see... Only at that time a few would hear and very few would see them play... So much more special at that time... today the world hears and sees them play... Forever, playing for all to receive, Blessings upon each who receive...

How courageous these men were. Miles didn't let the prejudice of the time keep him from sharing his gift and living his purpose. One of the things that strikes me as I watch this is how many different people came together to enjoy this this..music truly transcends all.

Coltrane's solo is mesmerizing!!

I saw Miles Davis in Washington D.C. in 1976 when I was 15. I took my stepbrother, a virtuoso classical pianist, to hear him. Miles played with his back to the audience

When I was a Black little girl back in the 60's and mama would have music like this blasting on her newly aquired RCA Sterio record player it would hurt my ears and boggle my mind that she would play this crazy waaay-out shit that seemed so out of step with the times- why couldn't she groove to Smokey Robinson or Aretha Franklin or James Brown like everyone else i knew?!! And then she'd rub it in by smiling a huge smile on her face while snapping her fingers to this crazy music...I remember looking up into mama’s 22yrs young face and with a puzzled look on my 8yrs face exclaiming, "You're serious huh? You really like this stuff huh (hoping she'd realize she had momentarily lost her mind again) smile and continue her gyrations in complete confidence while saying, "Yeah, I love it!" I felt personally insulted. I learned later in life while studying music in on of music classes at the University of Southern California that music mama listen to was as classy and jazzy as it gets and that Miles Dewey Davis was THE #1 JAZZ ARTIST OF ALL TIME. I been lovin this shit in a mad crazy way and threw in some Art Blakey, and Wes Montgomery to boot ~_~♡

TIMELESS- everybody playing as close to perfection as humanly possible!

I love jazz from this time in history. Eorll Garner, Red Garland, Dave Brubeck, Vince Garaldi and so many others are just the best.

Just a brilliant piece of mastery. Miles says "Soooooowhat" through his trumpet! And when he breaks into his solo...wow the drums, bass and keyboards! What music!!!

The genius of Davis is that he creates music that once you put on on its hard to turn off

I love the bass line that goes under the melody, perfect.

John's style is unteachable, either you have it or you don't. The notes he plays are mystical and refreshing to hear.

천재적인 재능을 타고난것도있고 노력한 덕분이겠죠 지금들어도 멋진연주다

VEVO, Give the credits for the other musicians in the description video, motherfuckers! Coltrane (sax), Chambers (bass) and Kelly (piano)

This music helps to define art in the 20th century

Arguably the best song written and performed!!!

I wished it would never end.

Coltrane’s solo went to another level when he closed his eyes at 2:48

Smoking while Coltrane does his thing. Textbook definition of badass.

I will always be blown away by Coltrane. His tone is so beautiful, it’s like his horn is a holy relic. And that phrasing! It’s so out of the box it’s as if it wasn’t composed by a human! Truly the greatest to touch the horn ❤

This was the very first Miles Davis song I ever heard. It has been a long and wonderful journey exploring his music ever since that day long ago.

There's still only one word to describe this . . . Cool . . . .

Good to see there's still a lot of passion for good jazz music!!!

Schianta da quanto è bella ti trasporta in un altra dimensione

One of the best pieces of music humanity has produced!

The coolest of the coolest, Miles and Coltrane, two of the greatest of all times. Changed jazz forever! Awsome, cool my brothers.

I now use this album as a reference point for every other jazz album I listen to. I keep coming back like a good smoke.

Everything about this performance screams COOL. Nobody is smiling, everyone is laidback but in sync. And the stamp of coolness was when Miles puts his fingers to his lips and just walks off after he plays the last chorus…masters at work!!

Coltrane's solo sounds like a conversation within a conversation within.....

Miles Davis was a musical genius

every note, every inflection, every touch, means something. So much more than just sound! Its still hear today. But the greats are... Great!!!

Grew up listening to this song as a kid. My father knew what he was doing when he listened to jazz without his earphones to give us some culture and introduce us to great music.

It is March 2020 who is still jammin to this classic?

I will never tire of listening to this. What a gift.

So what? Its all freedom. I grew up with music. Songs we write when you’re young and full of the cosmic energy of life. As we get older our bodies quickly evolve to the timing mixture. When our soul threads the universe and touches a piece of a mysterious substance of time.

These cats are so cool. They defined what cool was at that time. "So What" has held up well into the 21st century.

Miles Davis and Coltrane 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕Let me be a fly on the wall 😩

The seminal example of modal jazz.

Truly great music transcends its genre. This is a prime example. Listened to the whole album on repeat for a 5 and a half hour drive yesterday. Love it.

A classic masterpiece of art.

Impressive how the audio recording of this broadcast still sounds great in 2020.