The 3 Musical Geniuses Behind the Most Popular Jazz Album of All Time

Even if you're not very into jazz, you probably know Kind of Blue, the jazz album that's sold more copies than any other and is widely considered one of the greatest albums ever, in any genre.

Among the sextet of musicians who played on the album, three stand out as true jazz geniuses: Miles Davis, Bill Evans, and John Coltrane. Today on the show, James Kaplan, author of 3 Shades of Blue: Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Bill Evans, and the Lost Empire of Cool, unpacks the stories behind these towering figures. We discuss their background, their demons, their passion for musical greatness, and what they contributed to the evolving world of jazz. And we discuss why, when they got together to record Kind of Blue, the result was the most timeless and beloved jazz album in history.

Resources Related to the Podcast

• James' last appearance on the AoM podcast: Episode #186 — The Legend and Reality of Frank Sinatra
• "Miles Davis Blows His Horn" — James' 1989 Vanity Fair profile of Davis
• AoM Article: A Crash Course in Jazz Appreciation
• AoM Article: Want to Get Into Jazz? Listen to These 10 Albums First
• Albums mentioned in the show
  • Kind of Blue by Miles Davis
  • Portraits in Jazz by Bill Evans Trio
  • Bitches Brew by Miles Davis
  • Giant Steps by John Coltrane

Connect With James Kaplan

• James' website