The Genius of Miles (Jazz as Spiritual Metaphor-II)

I have been reflecting more and more recently on the art of jazz as a metaphor for spiritual life.

I've been listening to Kind of Blue- recorded by jazz trumpet legend Miles Davis in the early 1960s. Apparently, the album is the best-selling jazz recording of all-time- and with good reason- it is a true masterpiece of artistry. The pre-eminent ensemble of Miles, piano geniuses Bill Evans & Wynton Kelly, sax giants John Coltrane and Julian "Cannonball" Adderly, as well as Paul Chambers on double bass, and Jimmy Cobb on drums.

These names may not mean much to you if you are not a huge jazz fan, but pick this CD up and give it a listen, and you will soon experience what I am talking about. There is an artistic synergy- full of creative permutations, intricate explorations of every melodic, harmonic and rhythmic nuance that leaves no stone unturned on this album.

An on-going dialogue and negotiation of sorts unfolds before one's ears. Truly amazing to behold- even listening to a recording of it after all this time.

Here is a snippet of some early footage of Miles, Coltrane and a larger ensemble playing for a live TV broadcast (shortly after Kind of Blue was recorded):

All I can say is "wow!" There is a creative flow and interplay there that is quite rare!

You may be asking "how is this spiritual??" Well, jazz is a unique, creative expression that has a basic, yet elegant structure, around which gifted musicians combine to make something wonderfully rich, and energizing, that often transcends words.

Authentic spiritual growth is like jazz in some key ways: it occurs in dialogue and/or relationship, it is the result of a creative synergy, and it inspires and uplifts us in ways we cannot fully express in words. More than that, while jazz is ethereal and fleeting, (even though we have these great masterpieces on recordings), our spiritual relationship with God transcends even space and time. Pretty amazing stuff! So, enjoy great jazz and be inspired; deepen your walk with God and experience the transcendent One, with whom we can also have an enriching personal relationship.

Peace on the journey,

John