Jazz Fables pays tribute to music legend Miles Davis

All jazzed-up and nowhere to go? If an aversion to the swanky atmosphere typically associated with jazz is discouraging to you, try the casual mood of Jazz Fables at Bear's Place, 1316 E. Third St. For the discriminating jazz palate, Bear's serves a top-rate dish of classics in an atmosphere garnished with brio, no dinner jacket required. \nLast Thursday's Jazz Fables featured IU faculty -- associate professor Pat Harbison on trumpet, associate professor Tom Walsh on sax and visiting associate professor Luke Gillespie on piano, joined by David Miller on trumpet, graduate student Jack Helsley on bass and music school staff member Pete Wilhoit on drums. \nThe group performed in a tribute to trumpet guru Miles Davis. \nAlthough my jazz knowledge is limited, I found that you need not be a connoisseur to enjoy Jazz Fables. Its selections included cherished jazz classics recorded by Davis, such as "Joshua," "So Near, So Far," "ESP" and "Milestones," among others. \n"ESP" was arguably the most memorable piece of the evening. In addition to its stirring sound and clever compositional schematics, it was driven by the kinetic chemistry of the players, which fed off the enthusiasm of its audience. \nThe charismatic sextet maintained its overt passion from the first to the last note. Miller threw in bits and pieces of humor and trivia during the introduction of each piece. Especially moving were the heartfelt solos exemplifying one of Davis' trademarks -- the sublime minimalist style. \nAn exact Davis touch might be difficult to match, but at times the sound was so authentic it was hair-raising, turning the attention of the chatty audience into admiring silence. Enthusiastic applause and cheers followed. \nAlthough you're more likely to run into your professors than your peers at Jazz Fables, the atmosphere is casual and unpretentious. Heads with baseball caps swing from side to side and fingertips tap the tabletops in rhythm as the staff brings your order of drinks and buttered popcorn. The mood is much like Davis' legacy: cool, intimate, and yet accessible, as jazz should be. \nJazz Fables begins at 5:30 p.m. every Thursday at Bear's Place, 1316 E. Third St. This Thursday's Jazz Fables is a tribute to the legendary Sun Ra by the Jazz Fables Arkestra. Cover charge is $5.