Who is Miles Davis?
Miles Davis is sometimes described as the ultimate jazz icon. Others call him a musical visionary or simply one of the greatest jazz players that ever lived. His playing is so clear and beautiful that it has been described by some as if his trumpet were singing. Born in 1926 in East St. Louis, Miles Davis came from a well-to-do family. His grandfather was the first black landowner in Arkansas and Miles’ father was successful dentist and racehorse breeder. The young Miles Davis was a good, although not exceptional, trumpet player. While in high school, Davis honed his craft and toured with Billy Eckstine’s band. He then moved to New York under the pretence that he was going to study at the Julliard School of Music. In reality, he began to play with Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie, becoming the trumpet player in Charlie Parker’s band for three years. By 1949, Miles Davis was leading his own band. He broke from tradition by introducing musicians into his band who played unusual instrum
Featuring: Host Wynton Marsalis with Eddie Henderson, Justin Kisor, Brandon Lee, Billy Childs, Joe Farnsworth & Peter Washington Tickets: $20 adults, $15 students, available at the Alice Tully Hall box office, by calling CenterCharge at (212)721-6500, or via www.jazzatlincolncenter.org. Downloadable photos available at: www.jazzatlincolncenter.org/press/photos_04.asp THE MUSIC OF MILES DAVIS FEATURED IN PENTHOUSE CONCERTS & JAZZ FOR YOUNG PEOPLESM CONCERTS – Dec 11 – 13 • Trumpeters Eddie Henderson, Justin Kisor and Brandon Lee will be featured in evening concerts at the Stanley H. Kaplan Penthouse on December 11, 12 & 13, 2003. • Wynton Marsalis will host a Jazz for Young People concert exploring the topic of “Who is Miles Davis?” on December 13, 2003 at Alice Tully Hall. Jazz at Lincoln Center (JALC) continues its season with concerts featuring the music of the preeminent trumpeter and bandleader Miles Davis. This celebration of his legacy will kick off with a series of three concert
Miles Davis went to Juilliard school of Music, for about a year. He dropped out not because of grades (which were fine according to the Carr biography) but because he started touring with some groups. I think his classical education helped his jazz playing a lot. But, a jazz players real education doesn’t come from books, rather from playing, touring and clubs.
