Join us for a close listening of the album where we'll focus on why this music is so incredibly monumental.

"I'll Play it First" - An Immersive Listening of Bitches Brew

Whitney George at Nowadays

Tue, Aug 28 at 7:30 p.m.   |   90 minutes


I'll play it first and tell you what it is later.
-Miles Davis

Bitches Brew, released as a double record in 1970s was a snapshot of Miles Davis's life in '69, a year of musical revolutions. Genre-bending, Bitches Brew is a bruiting combination of jazz, rock, and the avant-garde. Having just finished a tour with his new quintet, 'The Lost Band' (Wayne Shorter, Chick Corea, Dave Holland and Jack DeJohnette); he slipped into the studio with musicians like virtuosic guitarist John McLaughlin, and expressive keyboardist Joe Zawinul to create Bitches Brew.


Working once more with his right-hand man producer, Teo Macero, Miles set forth to record a historic session later called Bitches Brew. Join us for this Olio about Miles Davis, his life, musical influence, and for a close listening of the album where we'll direct what makes this music, a recorded slice of history, so incredibly monumental. Optional homework for our deep listening session is to read the 33 1/3 series book of the same title (Bitches Brew) and take a listen to the album before coming—repeated listenings are always helpful in gaining a greater understanding of the music.

Teacher: Whitney George

George holds an undergraduate degree from the California Institute of the Arts, a masters degree from Brooklyn College Conservatory, and is currently continuing her studies as a PhD candidate at the CUNY Grad Center. In addition to her composing and conducting, George teaches at Brooklyn College, works at the Hitchcock Institute of American Studies and is the Managing Director for New York's AME.


Venue: Nowadays
Add to Calendar Aug. 28, 20187:30 p.m. Aug. 28, 2018 America/New_York Think Olio | "I'll Play it First" - An Immersive Listening of Bitches Brew Join us for a close listening of the album where we'll focus on why this music is so incredibly monumental. None

What is Think Olio?


Think Olio is here to put the liberation back into the liberal arts.

Classically, the liberal arts, were the education considered essential for a free person to take an active part in civic life. To counter a humanities that has been institutionalized and dehumanized we infuse critical thinking, openness, playfulness, and compassion into our learning experience.

Read more about our mission, our story, and how we are doing this.

Scenius Membership

If Friday night lectures, museum field trips, and living room salons sound like your kind of thing, then you've found your people. We can't wait to welcome you to the Think Olio Scenius. More info


Stay in Touch


Instagram Mailing List Contact

Olio: A miscellaneous collection of art and literature.