Miles Davis
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Miles Davis is now arguably one of the greatest and most important jazz musicians of all time. He is more than a jazz musician: he is a cultural icon. He was probably the single most influential stylist and innovator in post-war jazz. One of his hit albums that released in Bitches Brew.
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About
Miles Davis or "Miles Dewey Davis III" in real life was born on May 26, 1926 at Alton, Illinois to "Miles Henry Davis", a successful East St. Louis dentist and "Cleota Henry", a capable pianist. The family moved to St. Louis, Illinois when Miles was still a child. His mother wanted him to learn the violin but, for his 13th birthday, his father bought him a trumpet.
In 1941, he began playing semiprofessionally with St. Louis jazz bands. Four years later, his father sent him to study at New York’s Juilliard School of Music. Shortly after his arrival, Davis sought out alto saxophonist Charlie Parker, whom he had met the year before in St. Louis. He became Charlie's roommate and protégé, playing in his quintet on the 1945 Savoy sessions, the definitive recordings of the bebop movement. He dropped out of Juilliard and played with Benny Carter's band and making his first recordings as a sideman.
He played with "Billy Eckstine" throughout 1946-1947 and was a member of Charlie Parker's group in 1947-1948, making his recording debut as a leader on a 1947 session that featured Charlie, pianist "John Lewis", bassist "Nelson Boyd", and drummer "Max Roach".
In the summer of 1948, he organized a nine-piece band with an unusual horn section adding french horn and tuba to standard instruments like trumpet, trombone, piano, bass, and drums. This was the Birth of the Cool band playing with a nine-piece band that included "Max Roach", "John Lewis", "Lee Konitz", and "Gerry Mulligan" using meticulous arrangements by "Gil Evans", "Gerry Mulligan", "John Lewis", "Miles Davis", and "Johnny Carisi". Earning a contract with Capitol Records, the band went into the studio in January 1949 for the first of three sessions, which produced 12 tracks that attracted little attention at first. In February 1957, Capitol finally issued the tracks together on an LP called Birth of the Cool.
Miles, meanwhile, had moved on to co-leading a band with pianist Tadd Dameron in 1949, and the group took him out of the country for an appearance at the Paris Jazz Festival in May. However, the trumpeter's progress was impeded by an addiction to heroin that plagued him in the early '50s.
In 1954, he returned to East St. Louis and, with the help and encouragement of his father, he kicked heroin, locking himself away from society until free of the drug. In July 1955, he played a legendary solo on Thelonious Monk's "'Round Midnight" at the Newport Jazz Festival.
In that same year, he formed a group with drummer "Philly Joe Jones", bassist "Paul Chambers", pianist "Red Garland" and, in his first major exposure, tenor saxophonist John Coltrane. "The Miles Davis Quintet" quickly established itself as the premier jazz group of the decade. They recorded several essential albums for the Prestige label like Cookin', Steamin', Workin', and Relaxin'.
When the quintet broke up in 1957, Miles spent time collaborating again with arranger Gil Evans resulting in great albums like Miles Ahead and Porgy and Bess. In 1958, Miles was reunited with John in a sextet, also including bassist "Paul Chambers", pianist "Bill Evans", alto saxophonist "Cannonball Adderly", and drummer "Philly Joe Jones". With this classic backing band, Miles recorded "Milestones" and "Kind of Blue".
In March 1960, Miles releases another solo album, Sketches of Spain, collaboration with Gil Evans. The album earned Miles and Gil Grammy nominations in 1960 for Best Jazz Performance, Large Group, and Best Jazz Composition, More Than 5 minutes; they won in the latter category.
By the time, Miles returned to the studio to make his next band album in March 1961, Cannonball had departed, "Wynton Kelly" had replaced Bill Evans at the piano, and John Coltrane had left to begin his successful solo career, replaced by saxophonist "Hank Mobley".
Gil and Miles teamed up again in 1962 for what became their final collaboration, Quiet Nights. The album was not issued until 1964, when it reached the charts and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Instrumental Jazz Performance by a Large Group or Soloist with Large Group.
In 1963 Davis formed his second quintet with bassist "Ron Carter", pianist "Herbie Hancock", drummer "Tony Williams", and saxophonist "George Coleman", who was replaced by "Wayne Shorter" in 1965. For 5 years, this group pushed the limits of freedom and made some fiery jazz.
The quintet released two live albums, Miles Davis in Europe, recorded in July 1963, which made the pop charts and earned a 1964 Grammy nomination for Best Instrumental Jazz Performance by a Small Group or Soloist with Small Group, and My Funny Valentine, recorded in February 1964 and released in 1965, when it reached the pop charts.
They performed until 1968, at which point Miles began to incorporate jazz-rock elements into his music, starting with his solo album In a Silent Way. With his next album, Bitches Brew released in March 1970, reached the pop Top 40 and became Miles first album to be certified gold. It also earned a Grammy nomination for Best Instrumental Arrangement and won the Grammy for large-group jazz performance. The album sold 400,000 copies, making it the best-selling jazz album of all time.
His next album are Miles Davis at Fillmore East, Jack Johnson, On the Corner, and In Concert are all released in 1971. A car crash that broke both his legs in 1972 put a temporary stop to his activity and marked the beginning of his growing reclusiveness. Davis became less active in the early 1970s, and in 1975, he gave up recording entirely due to illness, undergoing surgery for hip replacement later in the year. Nevertheless, he returned in 1981 with a new band and released a series of popular electrified funk arrangements of jazz.
The Man With the Horn was his most popular release since Bitches Brew and marked his return to live concerts. We Want Miles was a live set; Star People reenlisted Gil Evans as arranger along with Miles ’80s new sextet which composed of "Mike Stern" or "John Scofield" on guitar, "Marcus Miller" or "Tom Barney" on electric bass, "Bill Evans" on saxophone, "Al Foster" on drums, and "Mino Cinelu" on percussion.
In 1984, while the band is in Europe Miles took part in the recording of Aura, a orchestral tribute to Davis composed by the Danish trumpeter Palle Mikkelborg. In 1985 Davis contributed to the antiapartheid Sun City recording, and the next year he and his band appeared at the televised Amnesty International Concert at Giants Stadium.
In 1986, after 30 years with Columbia, he switched to Warner Bros. Records and released Tutu, which won him his fourth Grammy for Best Jazz Instrumental Performance. Aura, an album he had recorded in 1984, was released by Columbia in 1989 and brought him his fifth Grammy for Best Jazz Instrumental Performance by a Soloist.
He followed Tutu with Amandla, a collaboration with Miller and Duke. Milles quest for increased public recognition led him to TV and film. He appeared on Miami Vice, made commercials for a New York jazz radio station, and had a featured role in the 1990 film Dingo. He also worked on the soundtracks for Siesta, The Hot Spot, and Scrooged. He continued to tour with a band of constantly rotating personnel and a critical stock at a level higher than it had been for 15 years.
In 1989, he published an acclaimed autobiography, Miles, written with the poet Quincy Troupe. While detailing his drug problem and romantic involvements, the book was noticeably skimpy in its praise for important Miles collaborators. In 1990 Davis received the Grammy Award for Lifetime Achievement.
He played right through the summer of 1991 at various international events, including a reunion with members of his former bands. Miles surprised jazz fans when, on July 8, 1991, he joined an orchestra led by Quincy Jones at the Montreux Jazz Festival to perform some of the arrangements written for him in the late 1950's by Gil Evans.
In failing health, he began to look backward for the first time in his career. Miles died in September 1991, reportedly suffering from pneumonia, respiratory failure, and a stroke. His album Doo-Bop 1999, released the year after his death. It was a collaboration with rapper "Easy Mo Bee", and it won a Grammy for Best Rhythm & Blues Instrumental Performance, with the track "Fantasy" nominated for Best Jazz Instrumental Solo. Released in 1993, Miles & Quincy Live at Montreux won Miles his seventh Grammy for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Performance.
Awards & Certifications
| Year | Award | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | Grammy Award | Best Jazz Composition of More Than Five Minutes Duration for "Sketches of Spain" |
| 1970 | Grammy Award | Best Jazz Performance, Large Group Or Soloist With Large Group for "Bitches Brew" |
| 1982 | Grammy Award | Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Soloist for "We Want Miles" |
| 1984 | Sonning Award | Lifetime Achievement in Music |
| 1986 | Grammy Award | Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Soloist for "Tutu" |
| 1989 | Grammy Award | Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Soloist for "Aura" |
| 1989 | Grammy Award | Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Big Band for "Aura" |
| 1990 | Grammy Award | Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award |
| 1992 | Grammy Award | Best R&B Instrumental Performance for "Doo-Bop" |
| 1993 | Grammy Award | Best Large Jazz Ensemble Performance for "Miles And Quincy Live At Montreux" |
Chart Toppers
| Year | Jazz Albums | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 1968 | 8 | Nefertiti |
| 1968 | 1 | Bitches Brew |
| 1974 | 4 | Big Fun |
| 1981 | 1 | The Man With The Horn |
| 1982 | 2 | We Want Miles |
| 1984 | 1 | Decoy |
News
Tours & Concerts
There are no current tour and concert schedules for Miles Davis.
Announcements
There are no announcements as of this time
Discography
Albums
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 Amandla<bbr>1989
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Singles
| Date | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Doo Bop Song | Warner Bros. |
| 2007 | Evolution of The Groove | Sony |
Compilations & Live Releases
| Date | Album | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1945 | First Miles | Savoy |
| 1946 | Boppin The Blues | Black Lion |
| 1949 | The Best of Miles Davis | Blue Note |
| 1949 | The Blue Note and Capitol Recordings | Capitol |
| 1949 | In Paris Festival International De Jazz | Columbia |
| 1950 | Birdland Sessions | Le Jazz |
| 1950 | Ballads and Blues | Blue Note |
| 1951 | Early Miles | Prestige |
| 1951 | Jazz Showcase | Original Jazz Classics |
| 951 | Collector's Items | Prestige |
| 1951 | Bluing | Prestige |
| 1952 | Miles Davis, Vol.1 | Blue Note |
| 1953 | Miles Davis Plays For Lovers | Prestige |
| 1953 | Tune Up | Natasha |
| 1954 | Miles Davis All Stars | Prestige |
| 1955 | Blue Moods | America |
| 1955 | Miscellaneous | Jazz Unlimited |
| 1955 | Miles and Coltrane | Columbia |
| 1955 | Cicle in The Round | Columbia |
| 1956 | Le Meilleur De Miles Davis | Tristar |
| 1956 | Miles Davis: The Columbia Years 1955-1985 | Columbia |
| 1956 | Blue Miles | Columbia Legacy |
| 1957 | Live in New York | Bandstand |
| 1957 | Miles Davis and Gil Evans | Columbia |
| 1958 | At Newport 1958 | Columbia |
| 1958 | Miles Davis at Newport | Columbia |
| 1958 | Milestones | Jazz Portrait |
| 1958 | 1958 Miles | CBS |
| 1958 | 58 Sessions Featuring Stella By Starlight | Columbia |
| 1958 | Jazz at The Plaza, Vol.1 | Sony France |
| 1960 | Directions | Columbia |
| 1960 | Friday at The Blackhawk | CBS |
| 1960 | Miles Davis en Concert | Trema |
| 1960 | Live in Stockholm | Royal Jazz |
| 1960 | Olympia 11 | Trema |
| 1961 | Live Miles | Columbia |
| 1961 | Friday and Saturday Nights in Person | Columbia |
| 1961 | At Carnegie Hall | Columbia |
| 1961 | Miles in St. Louis | VGM |
| 1961 | In Person at The Blackhawk | CBS |
| 1963 | Miles in Antibes | CBS |
| 1964 | Four and More | Columbia |
| 1964 | My Funny Valentine | Columbia |
| 1964 | Miles in Tokyo | Columbia |
| 1964 | Miles in Berlin | Columbia |
| 1964 | Miles Davis in Europe | CBS |
| 1964 | Quintet and Sextet | CBS |
| 1964 | The Complete Concert | Columbia |
| 1965 | The Miles Davis Quintet, 1965-1968 | Sony |
| 1965 | Highlights From The Plugged Nickel | Columbia |
| 1965 | Cookin' at The Plugged Nickel | Columbia |
| 1967 | This is Jazz | Sony |
| 1969 | Double Image | Moon |
| 1969 | Complete Bitches Brew Sessions | Columbia |
| 1970 | Black Beauty | Columbia |
| 1972 | In Concert | Columbia |
| 1973 | The Essential | CBS |
| 1975 | Agharta | Columbia |
| 1975 | Pangaea | Columbia |
| 1976 | Miles Davis and John Coltrane | CBS |
| 1981 | We Want Miles | Columbia |
| 1983 | Blue Christmas | CBS |
| 1985 | Mellow Miles | Columbia |
| 1988 | Evolution of Genius | Giants of Jazz |
| 1989 | Compact Jazz | Polygram |
| 1989 | Ballads | Columbia |
| 1990 | Plays Classic Ballads | Sony Special Products |
| 1991 | Miles Davis Story | Columbia |
| 1991 | All Stars Live | Jazz Band |
| 1991 | The Jazz Giants | Fantasy |
| 1991 | The I Like Jazz | Columbia |
| 1992 | Our Delight | Prestige |
| 1992 | The Ballad Artistry of Miles Davis | CEMA |
| 1992 | The Best of Miles Davis | Blue Note |
| 1993 | Newport Jazz Festival | Columbia |
| 1993 | Why Do I Love You? | Ni |
| 1993 | The Best of Miles Davis | Pair |
| 1994 | The Blue and Note Capitol Recordings | Blue Note |
| 1994 | Time After Time | Jazz Door |
| 1994 | Super Horns | Warnwick |
| 1994 | Miles!Miles! | Sony |
| 1994 | Jean Pierre | Tristar |
| 1995 | In Stockholm, 1960 | Dragon |
| 1995 | At The Royal Roost | Le Jazz |
| 1995 | This is Miles | Tristar |
| 1997 | The Collection | Sony |
| 1997 | Greatest Hits | Columbia |
| 1998 | Complete Studio Recordings | Sony |
| 1998 | The Music of Miles | Columbia |
| 1998 | Jazz Profile | Blue Note |
| 1998 | Live | Laserlight |
| 1998 | Live in France | Delta |
| 1998 | Selection of Miles Davis | Golden Sounds |
| 1998 | The Complete Birth of The Cool | Blue Note |
| 1999 | Olympia 20 Mars | Trema |
| 1999 | Love Songs | Sony |
| 1999 | Classic Ballad | Platinum Disc |
| 1999 | On Green Dolphin Street | Records |
| 1999 | Out of The Blue | Hallmark |
| 2000 | Story of Jazz | EMI Plus |
| 2000 | Miles Davis at the Boston | Fresh Sound |
| 2000 | Les Incontournables | Wea International |
| 2000 | Jazz Masters | EMI |
| 2000 | From Bebop To Cool | Giants of Jazz |
| 2000 | Jazz Poem | Dressed To Kill |
| 2000 | Chasin The Bird | Arpeggio Jazz |
| 2000 | Live | Unique |
| 2000 | Ballads | Madacy |
| 2000 | Millenium Collection | Millenium |
| 2000 | Complete Birdland Recordings | Definitive Classics |
| 2000 | All Stars Recordings | Definitive Classics |
| 2000 | Complete Savoy | Definitive Classics |
| 2001 | Boplicity | Proper |
| 2001 | Trumpet Man | Legacy |
| 2001 | Gold | Dressed To Kill |
| 2001 | Enter The Cool | Proper |
| 2001 | Complete Vocalist Sessions | Definitive Classics |
| 2001 | Live in New York | Westwind |
| 2001 | The Legends Collection | Dressed To Kill |
| 2001 | In Paris | Arpeggio Jazz |
| 2001 | Super Hits | Sony |
| 2001 | Young Miles | Proper |
| 2001 | Essential Miles Davis | Columbia |
| 2001 | Live at The Filmore East | Columbia |
| 2001 | Les Indispensables De Miles Davis | Sony Music Media |
| 2001 | More Cookin | Sony International |
| 2001 | Best | JVC Japan |
| 2002 | Boplicity | Recall |
| 2002 | The Blue Note and Capitol Years | EMI |
| 2002 | Music For You | Columbia |
| 2003 | Jazz Masters | Delta |
| 2003 | Members Edition | United Multi License |
| 2004 | Birdland 1951 | Blue Note |
| 2004 | Miles Davis and Jimmy Forrest | Jazz Factory |
| 2004 | Formative Years | Castle Pulse |
| 2004 | Jazz Moods | Columbia |
| 2004 | Jazz Biography Series | United Multi Consign |
| 2004 | Complete 1954 Master Takes | Definitive Classics |
| 2004 | Miles Davis vs Thelonious Monk | Blue Moon |
| 2004 | Trios | Sony International |
| 2005 | Poetics of Sound | Sony BMG |
| 2005 | Amsterdam Concert | Lone Hill Jazz |
| 2005 | The Very Best | Blue Note |
| 2005 | Live at The Royal Roost | Performax |
| 2005 | Colezo | JVC Victor |
| 2005 | Manchester Concert | Lone Hill Jazz |
| 2005 | The Collection | Madacy |
| 2005 | Munich Concert | Imc Music Ltd |
| 2005 | In Copenhagen | Gambit |
| 2005 | Live in Zurich | Gambit |
| 2005 | The Celar Door Sessions | Legacy |
| 2006 | European Tour' 56 | Definitive Records |
| 2006 | Solar | Back Up |
| 2006 | My Old Flame | Original Jazz Standards |
| 2006 | Complete Live in Paris | Jazz Factory |
| 2006 | Winter in Europe | Gambit |
| 2006 | Cool and Collected | Columbia |
| 2007 | Live at 1963 Monterey Jazz Festival | Monterey Jazz Festiva |
| 2007 | Live at Montreux | Wea |
| 2007 | Forever Gold | St. Clair |
| 2007 | Miles Better | Kingsroad |
| 2007 | The Collection Series | Sony |
| 2007 | Collector's Items | Prestige |
Other artists
Similar artists
Contemporaries
Influences
Trivia
- In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked him #88 on their list on the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.
- Inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame in 1979.
- Miles was awarded an honorary doctorate from the New England Conservatory in 1986.
- He was voted the 88th Greatest Rock 'n' Roll Artist of all time by Rolling Stone.
Reviews
External Links
Categories: Artist | Bepop | Cool Jazz | Modal Jazz | Hard Bop | Jazz-Funk | Jazz-Fusion
