Early Years
Miles Davis was born on May 26, 1926 in Alton, Illinois. He developed an interest in music at an early age, and began playing trumpet at the age of 13. At 17, he moved to New York City to pursue his career in jazz, and studied at the Juilliard School.
Personal Life
Miles Davis was married three times and had six children. He was renowned for his unpredictable behavior and was often seen as a rebel in the music world. He was known for his outspokenness and was an advocate for the rights of African Americans.
Influences
Miles Davis was influenced by a variety of jazz, classical and blues musicians. Notable influences include:
- Charlie Parker
- Duke Ellington
- Louis Armstrong
- Thelonious Monk
- John Coltrane
- Billie Holiday
Career
Miles Davis was a prolific musician throughout his career, and released dozens of albums. He was a member of several influential bands, including the Miles Davis Quintet and the Birth of the Cool. His most famous album, Kind of Blue, was released in 1958 and is often considered the greatest jazz album of all time.
Cool Jazz
Miles Davis was a pioneer of cool jazz, a style of jazz that evolved in the 1950s. It was a more relaxed approach to playing jazz, which focused on slower tempos and light tones. Davis was known for his ability to play with great intensity and his improvisational skills, which helped to define cool jazz. His most famous album, Kind of Blue, was released in 1958 and is considered a landmark album for introducing the genre.
Kind of Blue
Miles Davis' 1958 album Kind of Blue was an iconic album in the history of jazz. It was a revolutionary album that included new approaches to harmony and improvisation. The album featured many of the greatest jazz musicians of the time, including John Coltrane, Cannonball Adderley, and Bill Evans. Kind of Blue is often cited as one of the greatest albums of all time, and is considered one of the most influential albums of the 20th century.
Jazz Trumpeter
Miles Davis was one of the most influential jazz trumpet players of all time. His unique approach to playing was a combination of bebop and cool jazz, and he was renowned for his improvisational skills. He was a member of several influential bands, including the Miles Davis Quintet and the Birth of the Cool, and he was the recipient of numerous awards, including 8 Grammy awards and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1992.
Books
- Miles: The Autobiography by Miles Davis and Quincy Troupe
- Miles Davis and American Culture by Gerald Early
- Miles Davis: The Definitive Biography by Ian Carr
- Miles Davis: A Critical Biography by J.K. Chambers
- Round About Midnight: A Portrait of Miles Davis by Eric Nisenson
Accomplishments
Miles Davis was the recipient of numerous awards, including 8 Grammy awards and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1992. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006.
