Miles Davis

Abstract Few musicians of our time have had such an important and influential impact on jazz as Miles Davis. His lyrical tone on trumpet and the sound of his groups are instantly recognizable; many of the themes written for his bands have become jazz standards and are consciously imitated by musicians today. Davis was able to imprint his sound and style on the tributaries of jazz and pop: bebop, hard bop, cool, funky, avantgarde, fusion, R&B, soul, dance, and rap. He developed three highly lyric qualities on the trumpet: a noble, New Orleans-based sound, an operatic approach, and a plaintive style. Davis considered himself a modernist, and this view was reflected in his never-ending quest for change. His bands became a pool for up-and-coming talent: John Coltrane, Cannonball Adderley, Bill and Gil Evans, George Coleman, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, John McLaughlin, Keith Jarrett, Dave Liebman, Mike Stern, Marcus Miller, and John Scofield all became important contributors to jazz as a result of Davis’s touch. Miles Davis was born in Alton, Illinois, on May 26, 1926. He was raised in East St. Louis, Illinois, an integrated suburban community.