Do you get the attraction to Miles Davis?

Question

I have played trumpet for years. I don't understand everyone going crazy over Miles Davis. I just don't get it.

Answer 1

I don't but I'm more of a rock guy so I like horns with music like Chicago.

Answer 2

While everyone seems to be giving run-of-the-mill answers from the jazz script, I can tell you I love Miles Davis moreso than MOST (not all) trumpet players for his phrasing and melodic ideas. The intervals he chooses and the rhythms he places them in are so incredibly colorful (if you don't have "musician's s ynesthesia" this might make no sense to you) and moving. It never sounds like he's just playing a series of notes (as many jazz soloists do to my ears) but rather building a landscape as he goes. You can hear his deliberation in the pauses of his playing. In that silence you know he's looking for just the right spot to place just the right note just the right way. Am I starting to sound fanatical? Let me stop. Anyway, that's why I am crazy for Miles Davis.

Answer 3

Miles Davis' most notable contributions to jazz are his characteristics as an innovator - in 1949 he released the landmark album in the genre of Cool Jazz (Birth of the Cool), in 1959, modal jazz (Kind of Blue), and in 1969, jazz fusion (Bitches Brew).

Perhaps the most notable thing about Miles was his musical honesty - during the late days of bebop, even though he played with Charlie Parker, he found a completely different voice informed by but not completely comprised of bebop language. Although bebop lines formed the basis of a lot of what he played, he brought a new lyrical sound that played few notes, but tasteful lyrical ones. This musical honesty and drive to follow his own voice is what has caused him to be an innovator three times in the history of the music.

Like Ahmad Jamal (who he admired), Miles Davis' first great quintet with Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones, Red Garland and John Coltrane favored highly arranged performances of the standard repertoire: the way this group plays has developed the conception of what standard practice is in jazz. If you go on a gig and call "Bye Bye Blackbird," it's Miles' version. The way he changed some of the chords. Same with "If I Were a Bell." That characteristic intro, arrangement and ending are now the way people negotiate that standard.

That alone is a testament to the power of Miles Davis and the strength of his concepts: he defined the way future generations would approach the standard repertoire. His clout was so great that the way Miles Davis' quintet approached tunes even by OTHER jazz composers would replace them as the same way. Most players play "Well You Needn't" the way Miles' group did, not the way Thelonious Monk composed it.

Miles' use of space is also important - he left a lot of space in his improvised phrases, allowing the rhythm section to interact and contribute. The way Miles played allowed the rhythm section to build textures and interact in ways that had never been done before. The interplay of Herbie Hancock and Tony WIlliams on the recordings of the Second Great Quintet are a testament to this. Check out "The Complete Concert" or "Nefertiti" for examples of this.

In my opinion, the greatest thing about Miles is that he is always reaching. During his solos, he will lay on a dissonant, interesting note and completely change the mood of a song. His harmonic adventurousness leads the group to reach for new sounds. He will crack a high climactic note in his solo, and it won't sound like a mistake; it'll be beautiful. You can hear him constantly stretching the boundaries of the music when he plays; trying his best to honestly communicate his musical ideas. In this way he is just as much of a visionary and genius as Charlie Parker, or Louis Armstrong, and why he is so highly revered amongst jazz musicians and fans.

Answer 4

Miles had the phenomenal ability to connect with his musicians, making his music become more than just music. It became a true art form.

He had his hard, angry spells that, to some were difficult to understand (like a different language), and then there was the Miles who was a sensitive and soft soul. Any mood he was in, he poured himself completely into his trumpet without thought...just feeling. He was the real deal.

My father sat in with him one night. There was a presence about him that did not translate on his records unless you knew what to listen for. He was not just to be listened to. He had to be taken in. That is the essence of true jazz.
OH, try Footsteps. That's one of My favorites

Answer 5

Miles Davis doesn't play the trumpet like anyone else. He created his own, unique approach to playing it that others can merely try to clone now.

Answer 6

Then you aren't a jazz musician. He was one of the best Trumpet players ever. You also might not have the appreciation for a great trumpet player. I have for years loved hearing a trumpet being played well. Ain't nothing like it.

Answer 7

I agree. I don't like his tone except when he uses a mute. I prefer Freddie Hubbard, Randy Brecker, Dizzy Gillespie, Roy Hargrove, Wynton Marsalis, Louie Armstrong, Wallace Roney, Rick Braun.
One of Miles Davis claim to fame is that he was a pioneer in so many sub genres of jazz: bebop, cool, modern, modal, fusion, etc.
He also gave breaks to a lot of the musicians who later became legends like John Coltrane, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, John McLaughlin, etc.

Answer 8

For one thing, he was a brilliant composer. For another, he was one of the most innovative jazz artists in history by combing different genres. Maybe he wasn't the greatest trumpet player, but you have to look at the whole picture when comparing him to other jazz greats.

Answer 9

And your point is....?????
Not "everyone" goes crazy over Miles. You are but one of thousands of proofs of it. So now what? If you don't get Miles
here's a tip: DON'T LISTEN TO HIM. The man's been dead for years now and people are still fighting over his legacy.
It's set and won't be erased by anyone anytime soon.
Get over it.

Answer 10

If peeing in your pants is cool, then I'm Miles davis.

Answer 11

Mike Black once told me, "If Jazz is Improvisation, then Miles Davis is Jazz". 'Nuff said.