Tune Tuesday: Blue In Green

 

Tune Tuesday: Blue in Green – A Jazz Classic with a Controversial Legacy

Good morning, and welcome to another Tune Tuesday! Today, we’re diving into a song from one of the most iconic albums in jazz history: Blue in Green from Miles Davis' Kind of Blue. Released in 1959, this album changed the landscape of jazz and is still the best-selling jazz album of all time. But Blue in Green has a story that’s as murky as the bluesy depths of the song itself.

Who Really Wrote Blue in Green?

One of the most intriguing aspects of Blue in Green is the debate surrounding who actually wrote the tune. Miles Davis famously claimed credit for writing all of the songs on Kind of Blue, but Blue in Green has been shrouded in uncertainty. Bill Evans, the brilliant pianist who played on the album, also said he wrote the piece.

In his autobiography, Miles Davis says that Blue in Green was entirely his composition, but Evans’ take was different. According to interviews and Evans’ own writings, he claimed to have written the tune himself. And, interestingly, on his 1961 trio album, Portrait in Jazz, the song was credited to both Evans and Davis.

The truth? Well, it’s unclear. Some music historians and journalists, who have spoken with both Davis and Evans, suggest that Evans is the true composer. Still, the argument has never been fully settled. Allegedly, after all the back-and-forth, Evans accepted that Davis would get the royalties, and Miles Davis wrote Evans a check for $25.

A Timeless Jazz Masterpiece

Regardless of who wrote Blue in Green, one thing is certain: the song is a masterpiece. Its moody, modal jazz structure exemplifies the innovation of the 1950s, blending complex harmonies with a subtle and hypnotic groove. This tune isn't just a jazz standard—it’s a mood piece, a reflection of that post-war era where everything seemed just a little bit darker, a little bit more mysterious.

For me, whenever I play Blue in Green, it instantly evokes the imagery of a 1920s gangster movie or a film noir. Picture it: a gritty black-and-white scene, a hard-nosed cop smoking through the night, chasing down a bad guy in the shadows of a city street. That’s the vibe this tune gives me—cool, slick, and full of atmosphere.

Why Jazz Guitarists Love Blue in Green

If you’re a jazz guitarist, Blue in Green is an essential piece to add to your repertoire. It’s not an easy tune, but it’s a perfect introduction to modal jazz. The song’s complex chords and shifting harmonies give you plenty of room to explore and improvise, helping you develop a deeper understanding of jazz composition and theory.

As always, I’m rocking my Casio MQ24 watch and my classic gray tweed tie today. If you like the look or want to check out my gear, feel free to check the links in the description below.

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Now, sit back, relax, and enjoy the performance of Blue in Green—a tune that continues to spark debate and inspire jazz musicians everywhere. CLICK HERE

JS
 jonshields.org
 guitarbook.org


*note - part or all of this article may have been written with AI.

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