Sixty-five years ago this week, “Kind of Blue” was recorded and performed by a young group of talented musicians —before they were jazz legends — under the leadership of the visionary trumpeter Miles Davis. Initial sales were slow after the August 1959 release, but then the album caught fire, becoming the best-selling jazz album of all time.

So why has “Kind of Blue” endured as the top classic jazz album for 65 years?

“I think of 'Kind of Blue’ as a timeless piece of work,” said James Kaplan, author of “3 Shades of Blue: Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Bill Evans, and the Lost Empire of Cool.”

“‘Timeless’ is a word that’s much overused these days, but this great album genuinely seems to exist outside of time in a way that’s hard to explain.”

Angelika Beener, an award winning journalist, DJ, producer and host, says “Kind of Blue” uniquely captures universal human emotions.

“Everyone loves this album, and it’s not because they’re forced to, or they have to, or they’re told to,” Beener said. “There is something deeply resonant. This album drills into sort of the deepest parts of sensuality and romance and contemplation and ecstasy and vulnerability. “

While Davis took the lead on the album, he was joined by several other talented musicians who helped craft his legendary work.

“He gave a great amount of latitude to the artists,” said Leon Lee Dorsey, an associate professor at Berklee College of Music. “You see interviews with people like Herbie Hancock that he trusted — the chemistry that they brought to the table, that whatever was going on, it was like a laboratory.”

All that and more — including thoughts from a new generation of jazz musicians at Berklee College of Music’s Global Jazz Institute — on this week’s special episode of Under the Radar with Callie Crossley.

GUESTS 

James Kaplan is the author of four books, including his latest, “3 Shades of Blue: Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Bill Evans, and the Lost Empire of Cool.” 

Leon Lee Dorsey is an associate professor of Berklee College of Music who has worked as a bassist, composer, arranger and producer.

Angelika Beener is an award winning journalist, DJ, producer and host. She is the host of the podcast “Milestones: Celebrating the Culture” from New Jersey’s WBGO.