Jazz Expo 67 : Miles Davis Quintet/Archie Shepp Quintet, Hammersmith Odeon, London (GB) - Oct 29, 1967

This was one of the best live music experiences I have had. Miles went on first, which was odd, but Shepp stole the evening with exciting and innovative jazz. I'll always remember the two trombones at either end of the stage and Shepp entering wailing wild and wonderful sounds. Fantastic

I'm now 77 and this is the most incredible live event I ever attended. I drove down from Edinburgh the previous night, mainly to see Miles Davis at Hammersmith Odeon. I couldn't believe Miles wasn't top of the bill. I asked why and people just said wait and see. Miles was incredible. I remember at one point he went offstage to change his shoes! Archie Shepp group came on and blew me away - I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I always remember they finished the set by marching round the stage in single file playing an old jazz number like a New Orleans funeral march. The audience went crazy. My friends took me for a meal afterwards in Earls Court but I couldn't speak for hours!

The Miles Davis band, the famous 1960s quintet, was: Davis trumpet, Wayne Shorter tenor sax, Herbie Hancock piano, Ron Carter double bass, Tony Williams drums. They played their familiar contemporary jazz, showing terrific musicianship, working together, leftfield improvisation sometimes modal, striking rhythm changes, great invention. Their setlist was Agitation, Footprints, 'Round Midnight, No Blues and I Fall In Love Too Easily. Archie Shepp, tenor sax, played with Roswell Rudd trombone, Grachan Moncur III trombone, Charlie Haden double bass and Beaver Harris drums. Raucous, ‘free’ jazz, very much of the late 60s moment, committed, making a statement, far out soloing mixed with familiar (scraps of) tunes. Quite an event.