Miles Davis
One cannot think of Jazz without thinking of Miles Davis. Davis is widely regarded as one of the foremost jazz trumpeters. However, it would be a mistake to believe that Davis' influence on the world of jazz was limited to his abilities as a trumpeter. Davis was recognized as a composer, a bandleader, and a keyboard player. In addition, Davis helped develop improvisational playing techniques, which incorporated modes. Finally, "Davis had an uncanny ability of always selecting great sidemen for his recording sessions. These recordings are full of original and creative sensitivity and are outstanding examples of jazz recordings made at that time." (The Official Miles Davis Website, 2001).
If Davis' mother had her way, jazz music today would be dramatically different. Davis was born to Miles Henry Davis, a dentist, and Cleota Davis. Cleota Davis was a blues pianist, but she kept that fact hidden from her son because she felt "that 'negro' music was not sufficiently genteel." (Wikipedia, 2005). Instead, Cleota wanted her son to learn the piano. However, Davis received his first trumpet at the age of nine. At thirteen, he began lessons with a local trumpeter and began seriously studying the trumpet. Davis showed tremendous skill as a trumpeter, and was even accepted at Julliard. However, an earlier experience with the Billy Eckstine band, when Davis was able to play trumpet in a band including such greats as Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie, left Davis determined to pursue a career in jazz. Although he moved to New York City to pursue a scholarship at Julliard, Davis became a member of Parker's quintet.
While jazz had as much of an influence on Davis as Davis had...
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