Miles Davis and the Modern Jazz Giants from the same sessions by Davis's new quintet in 1956 which resulted in "Steamin' with the Miles Davis Quintet" (PRLP 7200) and three other albums to fulfill Davis's contract with Prestige. The 1954 session is essentially Davis accompanied by the Modern Jazz Quartet, with Monk in place of John Lewis. Notable as the only time Thelonious Monk made a studio recording with Davis – the two men did not get on well, as Davis felt Monk ought to be "laying out" (refraining from playing) during the trumpeter's solos. Ira Gitler, who was present at the session and wrote the sleevenotes
Horn in jazz compete directly with Basie's hard-swinging blues, the duo capitalized on their contrast from Basie’s sound, playing with a soft and mellow sound. By showcasing their different sound, Ruff and Mitchell continued to get bookings from Birdland to play intermission for other big name groups like Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Sarah Vaughan, Lester Young, Dinah Washington and others. After working with Claude Thornhill and arranging for his orchestra, he began arranging for Miles Davis. In 1948 the Miles Davis Nonet was formed with a sound completely unlike anything jazz listeners had heard before. The original idea for the nonet was to