Miles, Mingus, Coleman, Dave

Jazz.

12 notes.

Mebbe a dozen.

Shapes. Strains. Stresses. Chains.

Baa-daa, taa-taa-taa, bop, dee-bop. Sssssssss ...

Stop.

Birthed from oppression—suppression.

(Racism. Whites only. Segregation.)

Notes.

Smooth refrains from horns; zippy skiffs from drums.

Bass strings lovingly tapped by dancing blistered fingers.

Ridiculous sticks—slick & meticulous.

1959.

Miles & miles. “Kind of Blue.”

Dave Brubeck, “Time Out”; Charles Mingus, “Mingus Ah Um.”

Ornette Coleman, “The Shape of Jazz to Come.”

Jazz.

12 notes.

Mebbe more.

Super-cool players who knew the score.