Okay so regarding my previous post about featuring jazz musicians, I've knocked this up. Will aim to do this once a week/fortnite, as and when I have time.
Jazz Artists #1: Miles Davis
Born: May 26, 1929
Died: September 28, 1991 (65 years old)
Main instruments: Trumpet and
flugelhorn
Who is Miles Davis?
Put simply,
Miles Davis is one of the most influential and acclaimed jazz musicians of all time. I did a totally scientific study using Google search and found he appeared on every list of ‘top jazz musicians ever’. He came #1 most often. If that’s not high praise then I don’t know what is.
Miles' talent for music came at an early age. He studied at the famous
Juilliard School in New York before going on to make his professional debut as a saxophonist for a bebop quintet led by legendary jazz musician, Charlie Parker. His debut album –
The New Sounds – was released by Prestige in 1951. He went on to release approximately 60 albums, not including compilations, soundtracks, live albums and remixes. Basically he made a shit ton of music, usually playing Trumpet (his main instrument).
In 1949 he recorded the
Birth of the Cool sessions for Capitol Records. This was instrumental for the development of
Cool Jazz - a style of relaxed modern jazz that you probably know well. He also developed a rather tricky addiction to heroin around this period, which culminated in his additions to the emerging genre of Hard Bop – a type of ‘funky’ jazz focusing on a rollicking, rhythmic style.
After overcoming his drug problems, he made a comeback performance at Newport Jazz Festival in 1955 and signed a long-term deal with Colombia Records. This is when he recorded another important album, made in collaboration with John Coltrane,
‘Round About Midnight. In 1959 came
Kind of Blue, his most popular album and one of, if not the, most famous jazz album of all time (see below).
In later years, Miles worked prolifically. His music in the 1960s featured some more abstract ideas and helped pioneer the
Post-bop genre. His music in the 1970s focused on rock, funk and electronic music, as was becoming more popular at the time thanks to emergent technology. This is best summed up by
Bitches Brew, which sparked a resurgence of
jazz fusion (basically a mix of jazz and rock).
His health dipped in the early 1980s and he retired for five years before resuming his career. This i when he achieved some of his highest levels of success, both critically and commercially. He died in 1991 of complications from a stroke, pneumonia and respiratory failure. In 2006, he was inducted by Herbie Hancock into the
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Where Should I Begin?
Kind of Blue (1959)
His most popular album and one of the most widely renowned jazz albums of all time. The definition of smooth, easy listening.
On the Corner (1972)
A flop on release, it’s become a touchstone of Davis ever since. Focuses on free jazz, funk and electronic.
‘Round About Midnight (1957)
Great production values and features a collaboration with saxophonist John Coltrane.
--
Disclaimer: I’m new to Jazz. I took most of this information from Wikipedia. There's nothing original and I'm simply trying to inspire myself and others to enjoy jazz