Miles Davis: A Centennial Celebration
Marking the 100th anniversary of his birth, the life and career of Miles Davis (1926-1991) are being commemorated.
Born on May 26, 1926, in Alton, Illinois, Davis rose to become a central figure in jazz, maintaining influence over a five-decade career through a series of stylistic transformations.
Early Life and Career
Davis was born to a dentist father and a music teacher mother. During the Great Depression, his family relocated to East St. Louis. His trumpet teacher, Elwood Buchanan—a patient of Davis's father—influenced his development, particularly in cultivating a tone that avoided heavy vibrato.
At age 17, Davis joined Eddie Randall's dance orchestra and later led it. Exposure to bebop in New York prompted him to enroll at the Juilliard School in 1945, though he soon left to join Charlie Parker's quintet. He parted ways with Parker in 1948.
From 1948 to 1950, Davis collaborated with arranger Gil Evans and a nine-piece ensemble in the Birth of the Cool sessions, released as an album in 1957. Evans and Davis continued their collaboration into the 1950s.
Key Albums and Stylistic Evolution
Davis recorded for Prestige and Columbia Records in the 1950s. In 1958, he began exploring modal jazz, which culminated in the 1959 album Kind of Blue, widely cited as a seminal jazz recording.
In 1969, Davis released Bitches Brew, which blended jazz with rock, funk, and electronic sounds.
In the 1980s, Davis signed with Warner Bros. Records, releasing albums such as Tutu, produced by Marcus Miller.
Later Life and Death
In 1990, Davis appeared in the Australian film Dingo and contributed to its score. He died in 1991 at the age of 65.
Perspectives on His Legacy
Various musicians have offered statements regarding Davis's influence.
"He wanted me to discover me." — Herbie Hancock
"Miles Davis built musical foundations, but he was just as happy to knock those very pillars in the music down if they were impeding his journey as an artist." — Eric Ajaye, presenter of Jazz Legends
"The ultimate artist, always evolving." — Flea
On Style and Presentation
- Chuck D commented on Davis's exterior aesthetics, including album covers and style.
- Cindy Blackman Santana described Davis as a "complete innovator" and noted that he said he did not play right if he was not dressed right.
- Bilal said Davis's clothing choices for each era influenced his own approach to performance.
On Musical Innovation
- Emmet Cohen emphasized Davis's skill in assembling musicians and storytelling through music.
- Lenny Kaye noted Davis's evolution from bebop to cool jazz to fusion and his ability to "morph into new styles."
- Wyclef Jean highlighted consistency and discipline across Davis's catalog.
- Ibrahim Maalouf quoted Quincy Jones saying Davis "knew when to move on."
- Don Was said Davis was "always willing to risk losing his audience to keep moving forward."
On Personal Impact
- Nas stated Davis's impact was "as much on a human level as artist level."
- Theo Croker called Davis a "larger-than-life figure" who encouraged him to be a "rock star" on trumpet.
- Mia Doi Todd looked to Davis as a "celestial mentor" for band leadership and boundary-breaking.
- Izzy Escobar said Davis made jazz feel cinematic and that his music "creates an entire world."
- Bilal noted that Davis's records contain "essential building blocks" for jazz.
On Recording and Process
- Vince Wilburn Jr. (nephew/drummer) said Davis liked to record continuously to capture "songs inside of songs."
- Ron Carter recalled being honored to be hired by Davis and focused on making the band sound good.
Guidance for Listeners
- Carlos Santana recommended starting with Kind of Blue and then Bitches Brew, and described Davis as teaching "how to stop and be coherent about absoluteness."
- Jorma Kaukonen said Davis "knew no boundaries" and helped him see similarities between rock and jazz.
- Trombone Shorty praised Davis's attitude of "I'm going to do what I want."
Eric Ajaye concluded: "Davis earned the nickname 'the dark prince.'"