Portrait of Miles Davis

Miles Davis

Origin: Alton, Illinois, USA Years: May 26, 1926 - September 28, 1991

Miles Davis was an American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, and composer who ranks among the most influential and innovative musicians in jazz history. A master of reinvention, Davis pioneered or revolutionized multiple jazz styles: bebop, cool jazz, hard bop, modal jazz, and jazz fusion. His 1959 album 'Kind of Blue' remains the best-selling jazz album of all time with over 5 million copies sold. Known for his distinctive muted trumpet sound, sparse melodic playing, and ability to discover and nurture extraordinary talent, Davis shaped five decades of jazz evolution. An 8-time Grammy winner and Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Davis's musical innovations continue to influence jazz, rock, funk, and electronic music worldwide.

JazzBebopCool JazzHard BopModal JazzJazz FusionThird Stream

Discography Overview

During his recording career from 1945 to 1991, Davis released over 50 studio albums across multiple labels including Prestige, Columbia, and Warner Brothers, with total record sales exceeding 25 million copies worldwide. His Columbia catalog (1957-1975) produced some of the most influential jazz albums ever recorded: 'Kind of Blue' (1959) became the best-selling jazz album of all time with over 5 million copies sold, 'Bitches Brew' (1970) pioneered jazz fusion, and 'Birth of the Cool' (1957) defined cool jazz. Davis won 8 Grammy Awards during his career and received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1990. His compositions like 'So What' and 'All Blues' have become jazz standards, with 'Kind of Blue' recognized as one of the most important albums in music history by the Library of Congress National Recording Registry.

Key Albums

  • Birth of the Cool (1957)
  • Kind of Blue (1959)
  • Sketches of Spain (1960)
  • Miles Smiles (1966)
  • Bitches Brew (1970)
  • In a Silent Way (1969)

Key Songs

  • So What
  • All Blues
  • Blue in Green
  • Freddie Freeloader
  • Nefertiti
  • ESP
  • Seven Steps to Heaven
  • Flamenco Sketches
  • My Funny Valentine
  • Concierto de Aranjuez
  • Miles Runs the Voodoo Down
  • Sanctuary

Career Timeline

  1. 1944 Enrolled at Juilliard School of Music; began playing with Charlie Parker's bebop quintet
  2. 1947-1949 Participated in 'Birth of the Cool' sessions; developed cool jazz style with Gil Evans arrangements
  3. 1955 Formed first Miles Davis Quintet with John Coltrane; signed with Columbia Records
  4. 1957 Released 'Birth of the Cool' album and collaborated with Gil Evans on 'Miles Ahead'
  5. 1959 Recorded 'Kind of Blue' with Bill Evans, John Coltrane, Cannonball Adderley; album became jazz masterpiece
  6. 1960 Released 'Sketches of Spain' with Gil Evans; blended jazz with classical Spanish music
  7. 1964 Second Great Quintet formed with Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, Tony Williams
  8. 1966 Released 'Miles Smiles' and 'Sorcerer'; explored complex modal jazz
  9. 1968 Began experimenting with electric instruments and funk rhythms
  10. 1969 Released 'In a Silent Way' and 'Bitches Brew'; pioneered jazz fusion
  11. 1975 Retired from performing due to health issues and personal problems
  12. 1981 Made comeback with 'The Man with the Horn' album; continued touring and recording
  13. 1990 Received Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
  14. 1991 Died from stroke and respiratory failure in Santa Monica, California at age 65
  15. 2006 Inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as an influence
  16. 2019 'Kind of Blue' added to Library of Congress National Recording Registry

Influence Graph

How Miles Davis sits in the influence chain

Influenced by

Influenced

  • John Coltrane
  • Herbie Hancock
  • Wayne Shorter
  • Chick Corea
  • Weather Report
  • Return To Forever
  • Mahavishnu Orchestra
  • Pat Metheny

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