# CD review: Ron Miles – Rainbow Sign 2020: Video, CD cover

- Link: https://jazzblues.eu/2020/10/12/cd-review-ron-miles-rainbow-sign-2020-video-cd-cover/
- Published: 2020-10-12T00:03:29+01:00
- Author: https://JazzBlues.EU

**Denver’s Ron Miles, the well-loved cornetist and educator, is making his debut
on the iconic Blue Note label on Oct. 9.**

Cornetist and composer Ron Miles makes his Blue Note debut with Rainbow Sign, the
deeply affecting follow-up to his widely acclaimed 2017 album I Am A Man, which 
reconvenes the same remarkable band featuring pianist Jason Moran, guitarist Bill
Frisell, bassist Thomas Morgan, and drummer Brian Blade. The album is a set of nine
new original Miles compositions including the striking first single Queen of the
South, a piece Miles says was informed by Ethiopian pop. Miles wrote most of Rainbow
Sign as his father was passing away in the summer of 2018. “I became more of a caregiver
to him,” he says. “I was so happy that we made it all the way around, and that he
was able to know before he passed just how much he was loved.” That’s why the album
feels so endearing: it scores the journey from Earth to eternal peace.

“Rainbow Sign” is a sprawling, magisterial 70 minutes of music that captures numerous
complex moods, illuminated by Miles’ lonesome, singular tone. And the band he utilized
for the project represents the finest in jazz: guitarist Bill Frisell, pianist Jason
Moran, bassist Thomas Morgan and drummer Brian Blade. Like Miles, they’re as capable
of conveying subtlety as they are virtuosity.

It’s a brilliant album, one of his most accomplished among multiple releases on 
nearly as many independent labels over the last 30 years.

“It was pretty surprising,” Miles told me about the Blue Note signing. “We just 
made the album (without a label in mind) and Bill (Frisell) asked me if he could
play it for Don Was (Blue Note president.) A couple of days later, Don asked Bill
for my number. It’s not like they were looking to sign some old guy from the middle
of the country! Don is a fan of music.”

The music on “Rainbow Sign” often extends beyond the boundaries of straight-ahead
jazz and blues structures. Often, the chord changes are reminiscent of those used
in rock and pop, including the songs “Queen of the South” and “The Rumor.”

“Songwriting is still pretty mysterious to me,” Miles said. “When there’s something
emotional going on in my life, the songs start pouring out.”

The motivating factor behind much of what you’ll hear on the album stems from the
passing of Miles’ father, Fay Dooney Miles, in October 2018.

“I was looking back on the journey of dealing with his journey; letting him know
how much he was loved by us, and to take care of him in a respectful, loving way.
Even when he passed, I was happy to get there on time.”

There’s a sense of empathy projected in this music that’s all too rare, and while
Miles is the leader of the date, this truly sounds like a band effort. Frisell takes
numerous borderline-twisted solos throughout, and Moran’s individuality shines through
on “Custodian of the New.” It must be frustrating, then, that this group currently
can’t tour to support the album.

“We had some plans to get out there and play. I’ve talked to everybody on the regular.
I hope we can turn this around in the next year or so,” he said.

For the time being, Miles continues to teach as a musician in residence at Denver’s
Metropolitan State University.

“They’re having small combos meet twice a week. It’s pretty spread out,” he said,
laughing.

1. Like Those Who Dream (15:56)
 2. Queen Of The South (4:20) 3. Average (11:12)
4. Rainbow Sign (7:09) 5. The Rumor (4:31) 6. Custodian Of The New (7:49) 7. This
Old Man (6:57) 8. Binder (6:02) 9. A Kind Word (5:57)

**Ron Miles cornet**
 **Jason Moran piano** **Bill Frisell guitar** **Thomas Morgan
bass** **Brian Blade drums**

![Ron Miles Releases Blue Note Debut, Rainbow Sign](https://i0.wp.com/www.udiscovermusic.
com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Ron-Miles-album-cover-820x600.jpg?resize=640%2C468&
ssl=1)

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