Miles Davis
Miles Dewey Davis III arrived in the world on the 26th of May 1926, born into an affluent African-American family in Alton, Illinois. His mother Cleota Mae Henry taught music and played violin while his father Miles Dewey Davis Jr. worked as a dentist. The family owned a profitable pig farm near Pine Bluff, Arkansas, where young Miles spent summers fishing and riding horses. In 1927, they moved to East St. Louis, living on the second floor of a commercial building behind a dental office. By age twelve, music had become the most important thing in his life after receiving his first trumpet as a gift from John Eubanks. He took weekly lessons from Elwood Buchanan, a teacher who became the biggest influence on his life. Buchanan stressed playing without vibrato and slapped his knuckles whenever he used heavy vibrato. This early training shaped his signature round sound with no attitude. At fifteen, he attended East St. Louis Lincoln High School where he joined the marching band directed by Buchanan. He entered music competitions but faced discrimination due to his race. These experiences made him a better musician when a drummer asked him to play a passage he could not do. He began learning music theory by buying every book he could find.
In September 1944, Davis accepted his father's idea of studying at Juilliard School of Music in New York City. After passing an audition, he attended classes in music theory, piano, and dictation while often skipping them. Much of his time was spent in clubs seeking Charlie Parker, whom he called Bird. Coleman Hawkins told him to finish studies at Juilliard and forget Parker. Davis found Parker and joined regulars at Minton's and Monroe's in Harlem who held jam sessions nightly. Other regulars included J.J. Johnson, Kenny Clarke, Thelonious Monk, Fats Navarro, and Freddie Webster. In mid-1945, Davis failed to register for autumn term and dropped out after three semesters because he wanted to perform full-time. Years later he criticized Juilliard for concentrating too much on classical European repertoire. By August 1947, Davis recorded as leader with the Miles Davis All Stars including Parker, pianist John Lewis, and bassist Nelson Boyd. They recorded Milestones, Half Nelson, and Sippin' at Bells. In August 1948, Davis entered rehearsals with a nine-piece band featuring baritone saxophonist Gerry Mulligan and arrangements by Gil Evans. The group became known as the Miles Davis Nonet, which included French horn and tuba players. These gatherings led to thickly textured orchestral sounds. In September, the band completed their sole engagement opening for Count Basie at Royal Roost for two weeks. Davis had to persuade the venue manager to write Miles Davis Nonet on the sign. Recording sessions continued until April 1950, producing twelve tracks released as singles and compiled on the 1957 album Birth of the Cool.
After returning from Paris in mid-1949, Davis found little work except short engagements with Bud Powell. His heroin use became an expensive addiction while he was not yet twenty-four years old. He lost his sense of discipline and control over life, drifting into chaos. In January 1951, his fortunes improved when he signed a one-year contract with Prestige after owner Bob Weinstock became a fan of the nonet. By 1953, his addiction began impairing his playing. His drug habit became public in a DownBeat magazine interview with Cab Calloway, whom he never forgave. After returning to St. Louis and staying with his father, Davis concentrated on addressing his addiction. He lived in Detroit for about six months avoiding New York City where drugs were easy to get. Though still using heroin, he performed locally with Elvin Jones and Tommy Flanagan at Blue Bird club. In February 1954, Davis returned to New York feeling mentally and physically stronger. He joined a gym and informed Weinstock he was ready to record with a quintet. When he returned to studio in June 1955 to record The Musings of Miles, he chose Red Garland as pianist. Davis abandoned bebop style turning to music of Ahmad Jamal whose approach influenced him. Hard bop distanced itself from cool jazz with harder beat and blues-inspired music. Walkin' released April 1954 is considered by some critics as the album that created hard bop genre. Davis gained reputation for being cold distant and easily angered while adopting Sugar Ray Robinson's arrogant attitude.
In A Silent Way recorded in single studio session February 1969 featured Shorter, Hancock, Holland, Williams alongside keyboardists Chick Corea and Joe Zawinul plus guitarist John McLaughlin. Album contains two side-long tracks Macero pieced together from different takes recorded at session. When released later that year, some critics accused him of selling out to rock audience. Nevertheless it reached number 134 on US Billboard Top LPs chart, his first album since My Funny Valentine to reach chart. In March 1970, Davis began performing as opening act for rock bands allowing Columbia to market Bitches Brew to larger audience. He shared Fillmore East bill with Steve Miller Band and Neil Young with Crazy Horse on March 6 and 7. The 1970 tours included Isle of Wight Festival August 29 when he performed to estimated 600,000 people largest of career. Plans to record with Hendrix ended after guitarist death; funeral was last one Davis attended. For double album Bitches Brew 1970, he hired Jack DeJohnette, Harvey Brooks, Bennie Maupin. Album contained long compositions over twenty minutes constructed from several takes by Macero via splicing and tape loops. By 2003, Bitches Brew had sold one million copies. In November 1971, DeJohnette replaced in touring ensemble by drummer Leon Ndugu Chancler and percussionists James Mtume and Don Alias. Live-Evil released same month showcased bassist Michael Henderson who replaced Holland in 1970 demonstrating ensemble transformed into funk-oriented group.
In his autobiography Davis wrote frankly about life during hiatus from music calling Upper West Side brownstone wreck. He chronicled heavy use alcohol cocaine plus sexual encounters with many women stating sex and drugs took place music occupied in life. Drummer Tony Williams recalled noon average Davis would be sick from previous night intake. December 1975 saw him regain enough strength for needed hip replacement operation. December 1976 Columbia reluctant renew contract pay usual large advances but lawyer negotiating with United Artists matched offer establishing Miles Davis Fund to pay regularly. August 1978 Davis hired new manager Mark Rothbaum who worked since 1972. Having played trumpet little throughout previous three years, Davis found difficult reclaim embouchure. First post-hiatus studio appearance May 1980 day later hospitalized due leg infection. Recorded The Man with Horn June 1980 May 1981 Macero producing. Large band abandoned favor combo saxophonist Bill Evans bassist Marcus Miller both collaborated next decade. January 1982 while Tyson working Africa Davis went wild alcohol suffered stroke temporarily paralyzed right hand. After three months treatment Chinese acupuncturist able play trumpet again listened doctor warnings gave up alcohol drugs credited Tyson helping recovery involving exercise piano playing visits spas.
In early September 1991 Davis checked into St John's Hospital near home Santa Monica California routine tests. Doctors suggested tracheal tube implanted relieve breathing after repeated bouts bronchial pneumonia. Suggestion provoked outburst from Davis leading intracerebral hemorrhage followed coma. According Jo Gelbard September 26 Davis painted final painting composed dark ghostly figures dripping blood full imminent demise. After several days life support machine turned off died the 28th of September 1991 arms Gelbard age sixty-five. Death attributed combined effects stroke pneumonia respiratory failure. Funeral service held the 5th of October 1991 at St Peter Lutheran Church Lexington Avenue New York City attended around 500 friends family musical acquaintances many fans standing rain. Buried Woodlawn Cemetery Bronx New York City one trumpets near site Duke Ellington grave. At time death estate valued more than $1 million equivalent roughly $3 million today. In will left 20 percent daughter Cheryl Davis 40 percent son Erin Davis 10 percent nephew Vincent Wilburn Jr 15 percent brother Vernon Davis sister Dorothy Wilburn excluded two sons Gregory Miles IV. Rolling Stone magazine described him most revered jazz trumpeter all time not to mention one most important musicians 20th century Gerald Early called inarguably one most influential innovative musicians period.
Miles Davis considered one most innovative influential respected figures history music Guardian described pioneer 20th-century music leading key developments world jazz. Called one great innovators jazz titles Prince Darkness Picasso Jazz bestowed upon him. Rolling Stone Encyclopedia Rock Roll said played crucial inevitably controversial role every major development jazz since mid-40s no other jazz musician had so profound effect rock. William Ruhlmann AllMusic wrote examine career examine history jazz mid-40s early 90s thick almost every important innovation stylistic development music during period argued jazz stopped evolving when Davis wasn't there push forward. Francis Davis Atlantic noted career seen ongoing critique bebop origins cool jazz hard bop funky modal improvisation jazz-rock fusion traced efforts tear bebop essentials. Approach owing largely African-American performance tradition focused individual expression emphatic interaction creative response shifting contents had profound impact generations jazz musicians. the 5th of November 2009 US Representative John Conyers Michigan sponsored measure United States House Representatives commemorate Kind Blue 50th anniversary measure affirms jazz national treasure encourages government preserve advance art form jazz passed vote 409-0 the 15th of December 2009. Since 1960 National Academy Recording Arts Sciences honored eight Grammy Awards Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award three Grammy Hall Fame Awards. 2006 inducted Rock and Roll Hall of Fame recognized key figures history jazz.
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Common questions
When was Miles Davis born and where did he grow up?
Miles Dewey Davis III arrived in the world on the 26th of May 1926, born into an affluent African-American family in Alton, Illinois. The family moved to East St. Louis in 1927, living on the second floor of a commercial building behind a dental office.
Why did Miles Davis drop out of Juilliard School of Music?
Davis dropped out after three semesters in mid-1945 because he wanted to perform full-time rather than study classical European repertoire. He spent much of his time seeking Charlie Parker at clubs like Minton's and Monroe's instead of attending classes.
What album marked the beginning of Miles Davis fusion style with rock audiences?
In A Silent Way recorded in February 1969 featured musicians including Chick Corea and John McLaughlin alongside Shorter and Hancock. This album reached number 134 on US Billboard Top LPs chart and led to performances opening for rock bands starting March 1970.
How did Miles Davis die and when did his death occur?
Miles Davis died the 28th of September 1991 following an intracerebral hemorrhage caused by a medical dispute over tracheal tube implantation. His death was attributed to combined effects of stroke pneumonia and respiratory failure while hospitalized near Santa Monica California.
Which albums established Miles Davis as a pioneer of hard bop and cool jazz?
Walkin released April 1954 is considered by some critics as the album that created hard bop genre while Birth of the Cool compiled from sessions until April 1950 produced thickly textured orchestral sounds. These works distanced himself from bebop origins and influenced generations of jazz musicians.