Biography Of Miles Davis Essay - 1082 Words

Biography of Miles Davis Born on May 26, 1926, Miles Davis is considered to be one of the most influential jazz musicians in history. Being a trumpeter, keyboardist, composer, and band-leader, Miles is responsible for the popularization of many styles of jazz throughout his long and prolific career. Miles Dewey Davis was born into a well-to-do family in the town of Alton, Illinois. The family owned a large portion of a farm where Miles learned to ride horses as a young boy. In 1927 the family moved to East St. Louis. Miles mother, Cleota Henry, encouraged him to play the violin while his father bought him a trumpet when he turned thirteen and†¦show more content†¦Instead of keeping with his studies, Miles was more concerned with his career as a musician in a band. Miles made some of his first recordings in 1945 and also joined Charlie Parkers quintet. Though Miles was not as developed during this time, his style was already easily recognizable and distinguished. In 1949, Miles had the opportunity to lead a band which consisted of nine players, also known as a nonet. The band used non-traditional instruments in a jazz setting. Many consider this to be the birth of. That same year Miles visited Europe and played at that years Paris Jazz Festival in May. Because of his contact with people in the New York Clubs, Miles became addicted to heroin. Because of this, in 1953, Miles returned to his fathers farm and remained there until his addiction was broken. In 1954 Miles made a number of important recordings, and began to utilize the Harmon mute which darkened the sound of his trumpet. Miles used this mute throughout the rest of his career. 1955 was perhaps one of the most important years of Miles career. Miles played one his most popular solos ever for Thelonius Monks Round Midnight at the Newport Jazz Festival. Mile s was almost immediately popularized and continued to sign a record deal with Columbia and form his first quintet.Show MoreRelatedThe Most Popular Instrument of All Time: The Trumpet Essay892 Words   |  4 Pagesinstruments have had their time, but faded away. The trumpet has survived them all. It is probably the most popular instrument of all time. With talented musicians like Louis Armstrong and Miles Davis, the trumpet has been able to endure. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the careers of Armstrong and Davis, and how the trumpet became their way into Jazz. Louis Armstrong was born on August 4th 1901 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Louis had a hard and painful childhood. In 1922 at the age ofRead MoreCarlos Augusto Alves Santana s Influence On American Rock And Roll Artist And The Music Of His Culture1491 Words   |  6 Pagesband in the sleazy part of town. 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