Miles Davis
(1926-1991)
 Born just outside of St. Louis in Alton, Illinois, Miles Davis was playing the trumpet professionally by the age of 15. He moved to new York to hear and perform with his idol, Charlie Parker. Once in New York, he played with several big bands and started his own bebop groups. He also began a career-long collaboration with Gil Evans which resulted in the Birth of the Cool recordings (1940-1950), famous for contributing to the popularity of cool jazz. All together, Davis's career spanned 50 years. Interrupted by several illnesses, setbacks, and temporary retirement, Davis performed and evolved through several jazz styles, contributing to jazz-rock and modal jazz later in his career. Even so, Davis's sound was distinctively "cool."
Did you know?
- Miles Davis was married to actress Cicely Tyson.
- Miles Davis was also a painter and appeared on television as an actor.
- Davis frequently used the Harmon mute to achieve his trademark "cool sound."
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