Miles Davis

Trumpeter, composer and bandleader Miles Dewey Davis (26 May 1926 - 28 September 1991) was one of the major figures of jazz (a word he disliked). As the youngest member of Charlie Parker’s band, he was part of the be-bop revolution that ushered in modern jazz. His collaboration with arranger Gil Evans produced the famous albums Miles Ahead, Sketches of Spain and (after Gershwin) Porgy and Bess. Later, inspired among others by Jimi Hendrix and Sly Stone, he was the principal pioneer of jazz-rock, also known as fusion, beginning with the albums In a Silent Way and Bitches Brew. His 'going electric' in 1970 outraged some of his older fans (not unlike Bob Dylan's move a few years earlier).

Three bands showing the different stages of Miles's career:

The quintet of the 1950s: John Coltrane (tenor saxophone), Cannonball Adderley (alto saxophone), Red Garland, later replaced by Wynton Kelly (piano), Sam Jones (bass), Philly Joe Jones (drums).

Some of the other musicians who passed through Miles's bands were:

Saxophones: Gerry Mulligan, Sam Rivers, George Coleman, Wayne Shorter, Steve Grossman, Dave Liebman, Gary Bartz, Carlos Garnett, Sonny Fortune.

Keyboards: Bill Evans, Victor Feldman, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Larry Young, Keith Jarrett.

Guitarists: John McLaughlin, Pete Cosey.

Bassists: Sam Jones, Ron Carter, Dave Holland.

Drummers: Philly Joe Jones, Frank Butler, Tony Williams, Billy Cobham, Jack DeJohnette.

Percussionists: Airto Moreira, James Mtume.