Miles Davis at 100: Musicians explain why he is the GOAT

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Even though he passed away 35 years ago, Miles Davis – the legendary jazz musician who would have celebrated his 100th birthday today – continues to be an iconic and influential figure, not just in music, but in popular culture as a whole.

Miles Davis remains famous for “Kind of Blue,” the best-selling jazz album of all time, and his impact on music is enormous. He was a true innovator, constantly changing and refining his style. While rooted in jazz, his influence extended far beyond, and many consider him a rock star. Musicians from all genres recognize Davis as the epitome of cool and a uniquely charismatic figure.

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of his birth, The Times interviewed many prominent musicians – some who performed with Miles Davis and others who were simply fans. They all agreed on one thing: Miles Davis was a uniquely powerful and influential artist, unlike anyone else, with an unmatched passion and deep connection to his music. Simply put, there will never be another Miles Davis.

‘A complete innovator’

Chuck D, the rapper, is a fan of Miles Davis, appreciating not just the music but also the overall image and vibe. He particularly enjoys the artwork on Davis’s albums for labels like Blue Note and Prestige, as well as Davis’s distinctive personal style and approach to life.

As a huge music fan, I’ve always been fascinated by Miles Davis. Cindy Blackman Santana, who played drums with him, once shared something that really resonated with me. She said Miles believed you had to look the part to play the part – your appearance was part of the performance! It’s inspiring because it goes beyond just the music itself. It’s about bringing your whole self – your style, your energy – to your art, and to how you live. It’s a total commitment to innovation, not just in what you play, but in how you express it.

Bilal, the singer, really committed to his image as much as his music. He’d transform his look for each era of his work, almost like he was playing a character. I definitely admire his style – what you wear really impacts how you perform and the energy you bring. It’s all about creating a whole persona, an attitude that comes through in the music.

Pianist and composer Emmet Cohen believes Miles Davis’ music resonates with everyone. Whether it was his early, quickly recorded albums or his more polished work like “Birth of the Cool,” Davis had a gift for bringing together musicians and allowing their individual voices to shine. Cohen feels this emphasis on storytelling is what creates the most profound connection with listeners. While Davis was undeniably famous, his ability to share a compelling narrative was always his priority.

‘Always evolving’

Guitarist Lenny Kaye describes how this musician began playing during the bebop era, alongside legendary artists. However, Kaye felt he was always searching for a different approach, one that wasn’t focused on incredibly fast playing and technical skill. Kaye particularly admires how, with albums like “Birth of the Cool,” he deliberately slowed things down to create more personal and emotionally resonant music. He continued this throughout his career, with albums like “Sketches of Spain” and the hugely popular “Kind of Blue,” always prioritizing a human touch.

Flea, the bassist, described Miles as someone who completely reinvented himself with every new direction, discarding his past work. He sees Miles as the epitome of an artist, constantly growing and creating authentically from a deep emotional place. He characterized Miles’s music as both incredibly comforting and surprisingly adventurous.

Bilal really enjoys Miles Davis’s work from his electric period, but he’s constantly finding older material that surprises him. He says Miles changed so much throughout his career that it sometimes feels like listening to a completely different artist. Recently, he rediscovered the album “Sketches of Spain” and was amazed, realizing he’d forgotten how much Miles explored different styles of music.

Wyclef Jean, the rapper, points out that listening to Miles Davis’s music shows you can experience a full range of emotions – from calm and quiet to energetic and explosive. But what really stands out is his consistent quality and dedication to his craft.

I have a lot of respect for Miles Davis. I think he’s an artist who goes beyond just jazz music. He really understands what’s happening in the culture and where music is going. What’s amazing about him is his ability to constantly change his style and keep pushing himself creatively. He never settled into repeating the same thing over and over.

Ron Carter, the bassist, explained that they felt privileged Miles Davis chose them over other musicians. During their initial weeks of performances along the West Coast, everyone except Miles was figuring out the songs and chord progressions. Carter focused on proving Miles had made the right decision and ensuring the band sounded its best. Whatever approach Miles took, it clearly worked.

I’ve always been so inspired by Ibrahim Maalouf, and something he said about Quincy Jones really resonated with me. Quincy always talked about Miles Davis not just as an incredible talent, but as someone who understood the importance of knowing when to evolve and try new things. It’s a lesson Maalouf says he still thinks about and applies to his own work every single day, and honestly, it’s a really powerful idea.

Miles Davis’s album “Bitches Brew” essentially invented jazz fusion, blending rock and roll into his music and constantly pushing his artistic boundaries – something I greatly admire. He recognized the potential in artists like Jimi Hendrix and found a way to incorporate those influences while remaining uniquely himself. Davis had a remarkable understanding of how culture was changing, perhaps even more so than many of his contemporaries.

Musician and producer Don Was explains that just like in music, staying the same leads to stagnation in life. What truly sets Miles Davis apart, he believes, is his willingness to take risks, even if it meant potentially losing fans, all to keep evolving. Don Was emphasizes that Miles was brave in every period of his career, even when being courageous wasn’t particularly valued.

Obituaries

Miles Davis, a legendary trumpeter known for his beautiful, emotional playing, passed away on Saturday in St. While his music often deeply moved listeners, his personal struggles sometimes drew attention away from his incredible talent.

‘More than that’

As a trumpet player, I’m naturally influenced by the music itself – things like how space, phrasing, and silence are used. But beyond that, it’s really about a certain mindset that resonates with me.

Trombone Shorty admires Miles Davis’s fearless approach to music. Davis always followed his own instincts and played what he felt, regardless of trends or expectations. Shorty is inspired by this unwavering commitment to artistic expression – Davis simply followed the spirit of the music, and that’s what resonated most with Shorty.

Nas, the rapper, explained that Miles Davis’s influence went beyond his music. It was also about how Davis presented himself as an innovator and leader in his field. Nas feels Davis impacted him equally as a person and as an artist.

Trombone Shorty: The swagger, he may have created the swag.

Vince Wilburn Jr., Miles Davis’ nephew and drummer, now helps manage Davis’ musical legacy. He explained that Davis always kept the tape recorder running because he believed there were ‘songs within songs’ – hidden musical ideas waiting to be discovered.

Guitarist Carlos Santana suggests that if you’re new to Miles Davis, start with the album “Kind of Blue” and then listen to “Bitches Brew.” He believes Davis has a unique ability to teach listeners how to find stillness and meaning, even without prior experience with meditation. Santana explains that a single note played by Davis – much like one from Billie Holiday, as Cindy points out – can convey a profound sense of life’s beauty and purpose.

He fundamentally reshaped music, arguably more than anyone else, reinventing it several times. What made him special was his incredible skill combined with a relentless desire to experiment. He was a true master of musical elements like harmony and rhythm, and he deliberately challenged conventions. He thrived on pushing boundaries, even creating tension within his band, to keep things exciting and innovative. It took immense bravery to do this, but he also possessed exceptional talent, especially considering the incredibly gifted musicians he worked with. Beyond being a brilliant instrumentalist, he had a unique gift for bringing together people with amazing chemistry.

Entertainment & Arts

The Musichead Gallery on Sunset Boulevard is launching “Miles Davis: A Century of Cool,” an exhibit that follows the incredible career and musical journey of the jazz icon.

‘Larger than life’

What I learned from Miles early on was courage – not being afraid to fully commit and explore everything. It wasn’t just about mastering one aspect, but understanding the whole picture. Miles was a complete teacher, influencing how I see art and form. He also wasn’t afraid to be direct and push me, which really helped build my character.

Bilal believes that older jazz recordings are fundamental to the genre. He feels they contain the core elements that have shaped jazz, and removing those recordings would significantly impact its development and potentially change its identity.

Singer Izzy Escobar describes Miles Davis’s music as feeling like a movie. Songs like “It Never Entered My Mind” and “Flamenco Sketches” are full of intriguing emotions – mystery, romance, and a delicate balance of tension and restraint – without ever feeling excessive. As a songwriter, Escobar finds this incredibly inspiring, because truly great music isn’t just pleasant to listen to; it transports you to another world. Escobar believes this is the reason Davis’s music remains influential a century later, still sounding bold, sophisticated, and deeply moving – qualities that are always timeless.

Guitarist Jorma Kaukonen used to see jazz as a bit intimidating. When he was starting out, the complex rhythms and chords Miles Davis used were beyond his understanding as a young blues and folk guitarist. However, the vibrant music scene in the Bay Area encouraged musicians to ignore traditional boundaries. This allowed him to appreciate the connections between jazz and other genres, something he hadn’t noticed before. While his band’s music wasn’t as harmonically complex, they were learning and growing, inspired by improvisers like Miles Davis, who wasn’t limited by any particular style.

Jean says Miles taught him that technical skill is important, but it’s even more crucial to play with genuine emotion and feeling. When you connect with your soul through music, the instrument simply becomes a way to express that, and it’s incredibly powerful. He emphasizes that he wouldn’t have learned to truly listen and connect with the music without mentors like Miles.

Trumpeter Theo Croker describes Miles Davis as an incredibly influential and charismatic figure. Seeing Davis play as a child inspired Croker to pursue a similarly impactful career, especially since he wasn’t a singer. While vocalists like Prince, Michael Jackson, and Stevie Wonder became pop stars, Miles Davis achieved that same level of stardom through the trumpet. For Croker, Davis represents something far beyond just musical talent – he embodies a larger-than-life persona and a powerful artistic presence.

Musician Mia Doi Todd deeply admires Miles Davis, particularly his skill as a bandleader. She’s inspired by his ability to bring musicians together and push creative limits, viewing him as a guiding force. She especially loves his electronic jazz fusion albums – like “On the Corner” – even though they weren’t his most commercially successful. As a mixed-race person, she connects with the way Davis blended diverse musical styles, saying she’s always wished she could have been a part of his band.

According to Maalouf, the power of music isn’t about what it delivers, but the constant search it represents – a way for artists to stay creatively vibrant. He believes this applies to all musicians: don’t settle into predictable patterns. This artist, in particular, consistently defied expectations, always shifting direction when his audience thought they had him figured out, which Maalouf finds incredibly inspiring.

I never actually met him, but growing up, I really looked up to him. He was a hero to me, just like Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones, John Lennon, and Allen Ginsberg were at the time.

Bilal says that Miles Davis greatly influenced his artistic approach. He explains that, like Miles, he believes in expressing your own unique voice through music and constantly striving to improve and evolve as an artist. Miles Davis, according to Bilal, perfectly embodied this dedication to growth and change.

Trombone Shorty feels Miles Davis was a true rock star, and his stage presence perfectly matched his music. As Davis matured, he readily accepted new ideas and influences, rather than avoiding them. He wanted to both shape music and be shaped by it. In Shorty’s opinion, Davis was the epitome of cool – the very definition of the word.

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‘Playing within the language that he created’

What’s most amazing about Miles Davis is how deeply he influenced all music that came after him. Artists across all genres acknowledge his impact – it truly transcends language and cultural differences.

Jean suggests anyone interested in Miles Davis should begin with his early work, specifically his bebop and blues recordings. She doesn’t recommend jumping straight into his later, more complex music. Jean started her daughter with the album “Birth of the Cool,” and now her daughter is enjoying exploring his music chronologically.

Wilburn Jr. describes his artistic approach as stylish, creative, and constantly developing, while still acknowledging the past. He recalls Lenny White pointing out that many musicians aspired to emulate Miles Davis, seeing Davis as uniquely influential and setting him apart from everyone else.

For me, Miles Davis was just… otherworldly. I’ve seen the effect his name has on legends like Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, and Tony Williams – the moment you mention Miles, they just fall silent. It’s incredible, even now. To me, he wasn’t just a musician, he was like a Renaissance man – a true genius on the level of Da Vinci, Stravinsky, and Picasso. If you gathered all the great minds of the world, Miles could capture everything they represent in a single note. That one note wasn’t just about sound; it taught you how to feel everything, how to connect with something limitless and infinite.

I see Miles as a guiding light for musicians who are always trying to push music in new directions, because that’s really what music is all about – constantly creating what comes next. He was a truly fascinating artist who was always evolving. And despite all his innovation, Miles was also incredibly popular – a true pop star.

According to Maalouf, Miles Davis’ influence goes beyond just his music; it’s a way of thinking. He inspired others to embrace change and explore different facets of themselves throughout their lives. Maalouf feels Davis openly demonstrated this ability, showing the often critical jazz world – and everyone else – that it’s possible to reinvent oneself. This idea isn’t limited to music, but applies to all aspects of life.

Cohen is constantly discovering new sounds and artists, always ahead of the curve. The core of his work is about constant change and growth, and finding a consistent theme throughout it all feels like understanding life itself. Playing his music is similar – he essentially invented his own musical language, and when we perform it, we’re speaking that language.

That explains why he’s so iconic. In my opinion, he’s the most rebellious musician ever – a true original. He had everything, and no one was more groundbreaking or had a bigger impact.

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2026-05-25 13:33