"So What" is the opening track on Miles Davis’s 1959 album Kind of Blue, widely regarded as a cornerstone of jazz and one of the most influential examples of modal jazz ever recorded. Composed by Davis, the track is celebrated for its innovative use of modes, minimalist structure, and the freedom it gave to improvisers1234.
Musical Structure and Modal Jazz
- Form: The piece follows a 32-bar AABA structure: 16 bars of D Dorian, 8 bars of E♭ Dorian, and 8 bars returning to D Dorian1354.
- Harmony: Unlike traditional jazz, which relies on complex chord changes, "So What" is harmonically simple, centered around just two modes. This modal approach allows soloists greater freedom to explore melody and space125.
- Introduction: The iconic intro, written by Gil Evans, features a dialogue between Paul Chambers’s double bass and Bill Evans’s piano, setting a cool, contemplative mood134.
- Theme: The main theme is played by the double bass, answered by piano chords (the "So What chord") and then by the horns, establishing a call-and-response motif that recurs throughout5.
Instrumentation and Solos
- Personnel:
- Solos: Each horn player takes two choruses, followed by a chorus from Bill Evans on piano. The rhythm section maintains a swinging, understated backdrop, emphasizing space and subtlety65.
- Texture: The ensemble is mostly homophonic, with the trumpet and saxophones leading over the rhythm section’s ostinato and chords. Dynamics swell during solos and recede during the theme’s restatements7.
Impact and Legacy
- Innovation: "So What" exemplifies modal jazz, a style that prioritizes scales (modes) over chord progressions, encouraging melodic invention and new forms of improvisation. This was a radical departure from the bebop and hard bop styles that preceded it125.
- Influence: The piece’s structure and harmonic approach influenced countless musicians, including John Coltrane, who used similar modal frameworks in his later work (e.g., "Impressions")13.
- Reception: "So What" remains one of the most studied and performed jazz standards, praised for its clarity, emotional depth, and the interplay among its legendary performers25. In 2024, it was ranked #492 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time13.
Key Facts Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Composer | Miles Davis |
| Album | Kind of Blue (1959) |
| Structure | 32-bar AABA (D Dorian, E♭ Dorian) |
| Key Musicians | Davis, Coltrane, Adderley, Evans, Chambers, Cobb |
| Genre | Modal jazz |
| Notable Features | Modal improvisation, "So What chord," call-and-response theme |
| Legacy | Jazz standard, modal jazz milestone, enduring influence |
Summary
"So What" is a landmark in jazz history, embodying the modal jazz revolution with its minimalist structure, distinctive bass-led theme, and spacious improvisational landscape. The track’s enduring appeal lies in its elegant simplicity, the interplay of jazz giants, and its pivotal role in shaping modern jazz1235.
