Miles Davis (1926–1991) was an American trumpeter, composer, and bandleader, one of the most influential figures in the history of jazz. His uniqueness lay in the ability to reinvent jazz again and again, standing at the origin of several styles at once.
Davis was involved in the birth of cool jazz, and his album “Kind of Blue” (1959) became the summit of modal jazz and one of the best-selling jazz albums of all time. Later he paved the way for jazz-rock (fusion) with the bold album “Bitches Brew.” Davis was distinguished by his inimitable, restrained, and deeply lyrical trumpet sound, as well as an unceasing drive toward the new. Surrounding himself with the finest young musicians, he remained the chief innovator of jazz for nearly half a century.
