Miles Davis was, arguably, the most influential jazz musician of the modern era. A trumpeter, his varied musical styles influenced a number of musicians. The life of Miles Davis deserves closer attention. The composer's life, musical style, and his influence on musicians of his generation, and those of later generations paint a picture of an extremely gifted and rare musical genius.
Born to Miles Davis, Jr. and Cleota Henry in Alton, Illinois on May 25, 1926, the young Miles Dewey Davis III was raised in an upper-middle-class family with all the privileges accorded to a white residential neighborhood, in East St. Louis, Illinois (notablebiographies, internet). The younger Miles's father was an oral surgeon (notablebiographies, internet). The mother of Miles III was a music teacher (rollingstone, internet). In 1932, Davis's father sent him to study at the prestigious Juilliard School of Music in New York City (rollingstone, internet). While in New York City, Davis looked for the legendary Charlie "Bird" Parker, the famous jazz musician who became Davis's musical mentor (rollingstone, internet). He even became Parker's roommate, and played trumpet on the famed Savoy sessions in 1945 -- recordings that were very influential on the growing "bebop" movement in jazz (rollingstone, internet).
Certainly, the jazz music environment of both St. Louis and New York City influenced the musical career of Miles Davis, as he began playing the trumpet semiprofessionally in 1941 (rollingstone, internet). Along with Parker, Davis was a seminal figure in the so-called cool jazz movement during the late 1940s (notablebiographies.com).
However, by 1949, Davis had become addicted to heroin, as drugs were quite available in the New York music scene (rollingstone, internet). In 1954, Davis managed to fight off his addiction to heroin, and formed a group with pianist Red Garland, drummer Philly Joe Jones, and bassist Paul Chambers -- not to mention the talented saxophonist, John Coltrane (rollingstone, internet). They called themselves the Miles Davis Quintet, and they became the most notable jazz group of the era (rollingstone, internet). In 1959, the quintet released Kind of Blue, which eventually became the best-selling jazz record of all time (rollingstone, internet). Throughout the 1960s, Davis was prolific, but, in 1972, he was in a serious auto accident, and broke both of his legs. During the last part of his life, he was known for being somewhat of a recluse (rollingstone, internet). Davis was noted for a style that was distinctive. Although he was not considered a virtuoso by his many critics, his phrasing was all his own, his ability to resonate with an ensemble was excellent, and his tone was noted for a hint of fragility (rollingstone, internet). Thus, Davis's sound differed from other trumpeters of the time. Although he was a key figure of the bebop movement, he later moved away from its up-tempo, and became a much more "introspective player" (rollingstone, internet). By the late 1950s, Davis stopped using traditional chord structures, opting instead for tone centers and modal scales (rollingstone, internet). Soon, Davis began to drift toward a more experimental sound, and by 1968, he and the quintet released Miles in the Sky, a fusion of rock and jazz (rollingstone, internet). The album was notable for its use of electric instruments, and its rock beat -- a steady rhythm that permeated Davis's new work (rollingstone, internet). After its release, he soon release another album, for which he assembled what he termed "the best rock 'n' roll band in the world, a sort of super-group that included members such as saxophonist Wayne Shorter, bassist Dave Holland, guitarist John McLaughlin, multi-talented Chick Corea, keyboardist Joe Zawinu, and many other notable musicians -- representing the genres of rock, jazz, and blues. The result of this intensive collaboration was Bitches Brew, which immediately sold 400,000 copies (rollingstone, internet). Davis has won several Grammy awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Grammy in 1990 (bio, internet).
Davis has left a permanent mark on the world of music and jazz. In addition, he has influenced several generations of musicians -- many of whom are not jazz musicians. The list of those whom he later influenced is virtually endless, and includes a diverse group of musicians such as Pink Floyd, Herbie Hancock, Morphine, INXS, Robert Palmer, Living Colour's Vernon Reid, rapper Easy Moe Bee, and other legendary performers (rockhall, internet).
Miles Davis was more than an entertainer. His life, his musical styles, and his long list of those musicians (and other artists) whom he influenced is a legacy that is unrivaled. Not only did Davis perform and entertain with his trumpet, but he spoke through his music. He was an innovator and pioneer who was not afraid to push the envelope, and experiment with new sounds and techniques, expanding the once-limited repertoire of jazz. His music continues to inspire new generations of listeners, including those who like his earlier bebop and cool jazz works, as well as listeners who enjoy his more introspective work, and his later rock 'n' roll (and pop music) efforts. His faithful listeners have grown, and his musical genius is globally synonymous with the word "jazz".
Works Cited
Biography.com. n.p. "Miles Davis Biography." 2016. Web. 24 Feb, 2016.
Encyclopedia of World Biography. n.p. "Miles Davis Biography." 2016. Web. 24 Feb, 2016.
Rockhall. n.p. "Miles Davis Biography." 2016. Web. 24 Feb, 2016.
Rolling Stone. n.p. "Miles Davis Biography." 2016. Web. 24 Feb, 2016.
