Happy Birthday to Billy Cobham! A collaborator on legendary sessions like Bitches Brew and A Tribute to Jack Johnson as well as a pivotal role in Miles’ shift toward jazz fusion in the late 1960s and 1970s.
Video Credit: @drumlck on YT
The 1960s marked a new evolution for Miles Davis.
Following Kind of Blue and Sketches of Spain, Miles was touring globally, releasing more live recordings, and reshaping his sound with a rotating lineup of top-tier musicians.
By 1964, everything changed with the formation of his Second Great Quintet: featuring Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, and Tony Williams.
Across landmark albums like E.S.P., Miles Smiles, and Nefertiti, the group redefined jazz with fluid structures, deep interplay, and near-telepathic connection.
Remembering Gil Evans on his birthday. Gil was an alumnus of the legendary Claude Thornhill big band of the late 1930s to mid-1940s, and one of the most important collaborators in Miles' career; his passion for modern classical ideas and visionary view of jazz arranging provided Miles both inspiration and rich soundscapes upon which to solo, including Birth of the Cool, Miles Ahead and Sketches of Spain.
Miles Davis performing in São Paulo, Brazil at the Teatro Municipal in the spring of 1974. Preserved by the Standby Program 2015 and recorded on stage by Saxophonist Dave Liebman.
From bold illustrations to mixed media and beyond, these pieces reimagine Miles Davis through the eyes of artists around the world.
Featuring work by the incredible artists tagged.
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The 1950s embraced change, defined his voice many times over, and helped Miles emerge as one of the defining voices in music.
He recorded for Blue Note Records and Prestige Records, shaping a signature style built on space, tone, and restraint. Tracks like Tune Up, Four, Solar, and Walkin’ helped define hard bop.
By 1955, a new chapter began. Signing with Columbia Records and forming his first great quintet with John Coltrane, alongside players like Bill Evans and Cannonball Adderley.
Happy Birthday to the incredible Ron Carter!
Ron was a member of Miles’ Great Quintet of the 1960s, whose legendary tone and feel made him a first-call session man and the most recorded jazz bassist of all time.
This May, we mark the centennial of Miles Davis with a reflection on the passion that shaped his life in music.
From an early age, Miles was clear in his purpose. Inspired by artists like Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Billy Eckstine, and Thelonious Monk, he developed a deep commitment to creative expression and individuality.
Arriving in New York only intensified that drive—opening the door to a world of possibility that would define his career.
For Miles, music had to mean something. His work was guided by the belief that contributing something original and honest was essential.
