I know we have a quite a few Jazz fans, and more importantly music fans on the org and I thought I'd start a thread celebrating the genius of one of the most important artists in music history, Mr. Miles Davis. A man that was at the forefront of damn near every important movement in Jazz. Davis was arguably the greatest bandleader and one of the few musicians with the insight to constantly surround himself with up and coming musicians in order to create something new. His distinct trumpeting can be felt in whatever mood/style he was playing because he gave his instrument a voice/lyricism and vulnerability that transcended mere playing. He was an innovator that bucked trends, while defying critics and fans inorder to progress as a musician. Furthermore, Davis was a tireless soul whose constant search for new sounds kept him from becoming cliched. How many musicians can change/evolve in so many different ways and styles over the course of different decades and still posses the ability to remain relevant? I'm blown away by the impact Davis had on so many and the various careers he was able to launch into the stratosphere. Yet, most of the greats that played for him still hold him in mythical regard.

Miles will always be one of my heros because he was a strong black man who refused to be pigenhold or dictated to by anyone. Moreover, he never lost sight of the reality that is life in America. His rebellious spirit, and defiant manner ruffled many feathers along the way, however he always stayed true to himself and who he was as a person. Miles Davis was a visionary that is arguably one of the most important musicians of the 20th century. It's time Hollywood got around to legends like Davis and ceased retelling the same stories about Elvis and the like, because there are many immense talents whose stories are dying to be told.


A Few of my favorites






[Edited 6/7/05 13:51pm]

There are few words that do justice to Miles' music or legacy. I can't speak on Miles the person, but I do know that Miles the artist inspired many people, including myself, and apparently, the artists who played with him, with the fullness and dignity of his music.

Very few artists transcend art and become cultural symbols of their times. Miles is among the select few.

namepeace said:

Amen!

DPWC

Not much left to say. One of my musical idols also.
A cool combination of musical visionary and rebel.

There's an interesting article in the March 2005 issue of JazzTimes titled - Mile Davis The Pimp Of Darkness? that i'll transcribe if I have a chance.


tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...rmusic.htm

theAudience said:

Thanx for the headsup, I will definitely look for that!

You summed it up well Dorothy. Miles had so much going on his music that you couldn't get bored with it. Definetly one of my all time favorite musicians. My dad saw him play back in the 60's and said he was mindblowing.

Hey, your passion for artists is cool. I can relate witcha. Anyway, I too dig Miles. I admire how he carried himself as well. Especially in the 60's. Being a black man at that time, doing what he was doing, AND speaking his mind. Yeah, the cat was baaaad! Albums that I own by Miles:

In A Silent Way
Bitches Brew
Jack Johnson
Agartha
On The Corner

Love Miles.Beem groving on E.S.P.lately

I'm always surprised at what a fan I am. I don't think of him often, but I have all the albums mentioned and many more.

Love him. His music totally feeds your creative nerve center like nobody else. You can feel your IQ growing just by listening.

DorothyParkerWasCool said:

AMAZING pics, those two!

I just recently got The Complete Columbia Sessions and the Complete Jack Johnson Sessions... amazing recordings.

Indeed, just a few words won't do justice to the man, as it is just 5:30 am here and I need to rush to work in ten minutes, I will elaborate later on.

I love this photo as well...So effortless. It's the essence of cool!

DorothyParkerWasCool said:

Miles epitomized or embodied the nature of jazz. He was laid back, cool and refined.

DorothyParkerWasCool said:

I love your avatar pic. I never think of him as sexy, but he is there.

MsLegs said:

You Hit The Nail On the Head!

GangstaFam said:

Thanx...my avatar/the photo in my intial post were scanned from the Bitches Brew Album. Great B&W photos of Miles in that set!

DorothyParkerWasCool said:

MILES SMILES-DAMNIT!!!!!