Miles Davis

About

Trumpeter, bandleader, composer, and one of the most important figures in jazz music history, and music history in general. Davis adopted a variety of musical directions in a five-decade career that kept him at the forefront of many major stylistic developments in jazz.

Born: 26 May 1926 in Alton, Illinois, USA.
Died: 28 September 1991 in Santa Monica, California, USA (aged 65).

Best known for his seminal modern jazz album "Kind Of Blue" (1959), the highest selling jazz album of all time with six million copies sold.

Miles went to New York City to study at Juilliard School. He made his professional debut as a member of The Charlie Parker Quintet from 1944 to 1948. In 1948 Miles Davis started his own ensembles. At that time he met Gil Evans, who contributed to The Miles Davis Nonet's scores and arrangements. From the few recordings they made in 1949 and 1950 came the album "Birth Of The Cool" (1957), with Davis and Evans going on to work more together in the future.

Miles Davis was a prominent musician in the creation of 'Hard Bop' style in the mid-1950s. In the late 1960s he introduced electronic instruments and rock and funk rhythms in his music. In the mid-1970s he went on a hiatus because of various health and personal problems, though he made a comeback in 1980.

Inducted into Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in 2006 (Performer).

Winner of eight Grammy Awards:
- Best Jazz Composition Of More Than Five Minutes Duration for Sketches Of Spain on Sketches Of Spain
- Best Jazz Performance - Large Group Or Soloist With Large Group for Bitches Brew
- Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Soloist for We Want Miles
- Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Soloist for Tutu
- Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Big Band for Aura
- Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Soloist (On A Jazz Recording) for Aura
- Best R&B Instrumental Performance for Doo-Bop
- Best Large Jazz Ensemble Performance for Live At Montreux

He married dancer/actress Frances Taylor Davis on December 12, 1959; they divorced in 1968. He then married singer Betty Mabry in September 1968; they divorced in 1970. He then married actress Cicely Tyson on November 26, 1981; they divorced in 1989. Father of Cheryl Davis & Erin Davis. Uncle of [a=Vince Wilburn, Jr.]