Session details: WMGM Studios (April 21, 1949)

Miles Ahead session details

April 21, 1949 (4 items; TT = 12:11)

WMGM Studios, New York NY

Commercial for Capitol

Miles Davis (tpt); J.J. Johnson (tb); Sahib Shihab [Edmund Gregory] (as); Benjamin Lundy (ts); Cecil Payne (bs); John Collins (g); Tadd Dameron (p); Dillon "Curley" Russell (b); Kenny Clarke (d); Kay Penton (voc)

1	John's Delight (T. Dameron)	2:56
2	What's New? (J. Burke-B. Haggart)	2:59
	Add Penton (voc)
3	Heaven's Doors are Open Wide (T. Dameron)	3:17
	Add Penton (voc)
4	Focus (T. Dameron)	2:59


1 John's Delight 78 rpm: Capitol 57-60015 12" LP: Capitol M 11059 CD: Toshiba TOCJ-5301, Blue Note CDP 33373, Definitive Records DRCD 11164
2 What's New? 12" LP: Capitol M 11059 CD: Toshiba TOCJ-5301, Blue Note CDP 33373, Definitive Records DRCD 11164
3 Heaven's Doors are Open Wide 12" LP: Capitol M 11059 CD: Toshiba TOCJ-5301, Blue Note CDP 33373, Definitive Records DRCD 11164
4 Focus 78 rpm: Capitol 57-60015 12" LP: Capitol M 11059 CD: Toshiba TOCJ-5301, Blue Note CDP 33373, Definitive Records DRCD 11164

This is essentially the Dameron Big Ten with J.J. Johnson replacing Kai Winding. Davis, a replacement for Fats Navarro, does not solo on any of these titles, though he has a nice accompaniment behind Penton in "Heaven's Doors Are Open Wide."

Capitol Records did not have its own recording studio in New York, and WMGM's studios were used for many Capitol jazz sessions in the 1940s. In 1952 WMGM bought an interest in Fine Sound, and on October 10, 1953 Billboard reported that "Fine Sound Takes Over N.Y. Studios." Henceforth the studios would be known as Fine Sound Studios, and many memorable sessions for Verve and other jazz labels were recorded there.

I am grateful to Leif Bo Petersen for help with this session.