While Miles Davis may be buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, his spirit and inspiration live on lustily and powerfully in the massive catalog he left behind. Few artists will ever leave as large or enduring a footprint on their craft as Davis. When he passed away on September 28, 1991 it was a blow to music. Even if past the ferocious, even ridiculous creative heights he'd shown from the 1940s through the mid-70s, there was still great wit and sonic curiosity about the man right up until the end. JamBase didn't want to let the day pass without pausing to spare a thought or three for one of the few musicians truly worthy of the title of “genius." We miss you Miles but breathe in your exuberant, sometimes prickly blasts of life with each note you left behind.
Our remembrance begins with “So What" performed in 1964 on The Steve Allen Show with one of his most famous ensembles.
Miles gets thick 'n' freaky in an electric vein on “Inamorata" in 1971 with Keith Jarrett, Gary Bartz and Mtume.
The master burns hot on this section of “Bitches Brew" from 1969. Nice headband, Chick!
Gil Evans offers some observations about Davis' impact on his instrument followed by the recording session for “Blues for Pablo."
Here's the first part of an interview Davis did with 60 Minutes in 1990 that's packed full of his personality, directness and smarts.
We conclude with one of Davis' final TV appearances in 1990 on David Sanborn's tremendous Sunday Night program, where the man's ceaseless imagination and breathtaking soloing remained firmly intact.
