As part of an ongoing centennial celebration of trumpeter, composer, and cultural icon Miles Davis, Craft Recordings has announced the release of a definitive new box set: Miles ’56: The Prestige Recordings.
Scheduled for release on June 19, this collection serves as a follow-up to the GRAMMY®-winning Miles ’55, shifting the focus to one of the most productive and transformative years in jazz history.
The Birth of the “First Great Quintet”
For Miles Davis, 1956 was a watershed moment defined by his first consistent ensemble, now known as the “First Great Quintet.” The lineup featured a powerhouse of then-rising stars:
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John Coltrane (Tenor Saxophone)
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Red Garland (Piano)
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Paul Chambers (Bass)
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Philly Joe Jones (Drums)
Together, they refined a “ballads, burners, and blues” repertoire during packed residencies at North American clubs and the West Village’s Café Bohemia. This chemistry is captured across the legendary sessions for Prestige Records, which produced four of the most influential albums in the hard bop canon: Cookin’, Relaxin’, Workin’, and Steamin’.
The Marathon Sessions
In a unique move to fulfill his contractual obligations to Prestige before transitioning to Columbia Records, Davis scheduled two marathon sessions at Rudy Van Gelder’s Hackensack studio on May 11 and October 26, 1956. The group approached these sessions like live gigs, capturing “first takes” of their perfected setlists.
Music historian Ashley Kahn notes in the collection’s new essay:
“Collectively, the band was able to breathe as one, in a natural, imprecise way. The group could deliver fire and, just as effectively, stillness—which Miles was famously responsible for.”
Technical Specifications & Restoration
To honor the 70-year-old recordings, Craft Recordings has employed a top-tier team for this archival release:
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Restoration: All audio was transferred from the original analog tapes and restored via Plangent Processes.
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Mastering: Remastered by GRAMMY®-winning engineer Paul Blakemore.
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Vinyl Quality: Lacquers for the 180-gram vinyl were cut by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio.
Collection Highlights
In addition to the core Quintet sessions, the set includes the March 16th session featuring Sonny Rollins, Tommy Flanagan, and Art Taylor.
Available Formats:
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Limited-Edition 4-LP Box Set
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3-CD Set
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Hi-Res Digital
Both physical editions include the new essay by Ashley Kahn and insightful track notes by the late jazz historian Dan Morgenstern.
Exclusive Merchandise
Coinciding with the release, a limited run of apparel and merchandise featuring the iconic original artwork from the Prestige sessions will be available exclusively through the Craft Recordings store.
The impact of these 1956 recordings remains a cornerstone for student improvisers and contemporary ensembles alike, proving that Davis’ voice—and the fire of his First Great Quintet—remains as vital today as they were seven decades ago. Pre-order Miles ’56.
