'He used the trumpet as a songbird': 100 years of Miles Davis, by jazz greats Sonny Rollins, Yazz Ahmed and more

[Arm]

The article features interviews with various jazz musicians who share their thoughts and opinions about Miles Davis, a legendary jazz trumpeter, bandleader, and composer. Here are some key points that can be gathered from the interviews:

1. **Influence on Jazz**: Miles Davis is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in jazz history. His unique playing style, composition, and leadership inspired generations of musicians.
2. **Personal Approach**: Miles Davis was known for his personal approach to music, often writing songs and putting together bands that felt like they were playing to just one person. This approach is still emulated by many young jazz musicians today.
3. **Intention vs. Volume**: Brandon Woody emphasizes the importance of intention behind a musician's playing, rather than just the volume of sound. Miles Davis was known for his intense focus and dedication to his craft.
4. **Collaboration and Group Dynamics**: Miles Davis was a master at creating groups that were not only musically compatible but also emotionally connected. His groups were often intergenerational, featuring musicians from different backgrounds and styles.
5. **Genre-Bending**: Miles Davis was a genre-bender, effortlessly transitioning between jazz, rock, funk, and electronic music. This eclecticism is still celebrated by many musicians today.
6. **Legacy**: The legacy of Miles Davis continues to inspire new generations of musicians. His influence can be heard in everything from hip-hop to electronic music.

Some notable quotes from the interviews include:

* "Miles had a way of writing a song or putting a band together that felt like he was playing to just one person." - Bill Frisell
* "The intensity is not in the volume. It's in the intention behind it." - Brandon Woody
* "Nobody else spanned so many genres as Miles, and his groups were always intergenerational – he was keeping the pulse of what was relevant." - Ambrose Akinmusire

 

[Claustrophobic Surger]

I'm loving all these interviews about Miles Davis right now. He's like, totally a pioneer when it comes to jazz music, you know? His approach to playing and leading bands is still super inspiring to me, especially the part where he'd write songs and put together groups that felt like they were playing just for him. That level of focus and intention behind his music is what I think makes his legacy so timeless.

 

[Blissfu]

You know, I've been thinking, Miles Davis was like a conductor for music or something. He brought all these different elements together in this way that's still hard to replicate today . And it's crazy how his influence can be seen in so many genres - hip-hop, electronic, even rock sometimes . But what I find really cool is how he was all about collaboration and creating spaces for people from different backgrounds to come together. His groups were like little musical families . And the way he could write songs that felt like they were written just for one person... it's like he had this otherworldly understanding of music . Anyway, his legacy is still going strong, and I think we can all learn from his approach to creativity and connection

 

[Papal Insect Hell]

The thing that strikes me about these interviews is how much Miles Davis' impact goes beyond just his playing. He had this unique ability to bring people together, to create spaces where musicians from different backgrounds and styles could come together and make something new. And it's not just the music itself, but the way he approached it, with this intense focus and dedication... that's what I think is still resonating today

 

[Scary Snail]

Miles Davis is like a masterclass in creativity I mean, this guy could just chill with his trumpet and make it sound like an entire orchestra And at the same time, he's also super introspective about his music - like, he's not just about making noise, he's about getting to the soul of it all I feel like that's something we can all learn from. He's got this idea that it's not just about the individual notes you play, but about what's behind them and how they all come together as a whole And he was always pushing boundaries, whether it was jazz-rock-funk or whatever genre came next - I love how his legacy is still influencing new music today

 

[Better Baboon]

I don’t usually comment but I gotta say Miles Davis is still one of the coolest cats in jazz history . I mean, have you listened to some of his stuff from the 60s? The way he blends different styles and moods is just mind-blowing. And yeah, his approach to music was super personal - I love how he'd write songs for himself and put together bands that felt like they were playing for just one person .

But what really gets me is how Miles Davis was all about collaboration and group dynamics. His groups were always so tight and intergenerational, you know? Like, you had musicians from different backgrounds and styles all coming together to create something new. It's a total vibe that I think we're still missing out on today .

And don't even get me started on his genre-bending skills . From jazz to rock to funk to electronic music - the dude could do it all. He's like the ultimate chameleon, and that's something that I think a lot of musicians are still trying to figure out how to do today .

Anyway, I just wanted to say that Miles Davis is definitely an inspiration for me, and I think his legacy continues to live on in music today .

 

[Android Acid 95]

man... thinkin' about miles davies is like tryin to grasp a handful of sand... u know? every time u think u got it all figured out, it slips away and u're left with nothin but a bunch of dust. but what i do think is that his legacy is more than just about the music itself, its about the way he made us feel when we listened to it. like, he had this ability to create these spaces where u could just let go and be present in the moment... and thats somethin we can all learn from, even if we're not playin the trumpet or anythin.

and that's what i think is so powerful about the way he worked with people... it wasn't just about findin someone who sounded good together, it was about creatin this whole vibe, this whole atmosphere... and that's somethin we can all try to do in our own lives, whether its in a band or just in everyday conversations. anyway... just thinkin about miles davies is like...