A Comparison Of Miles Davis And John Coltrane

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Recommended: History and influence of jazz

Kaley Kenyon
Music 362
Research Paper 2
5/3/14
Miles Davis and John Coltrane
Miles Davis and John Coltrane are huge in the jazz world. They both have impacted jazz in many ways and are very well-known. Some may even say that they are the greatest jazz musicians that ever lived. They both have won
Davis was born Illinois in 1926. He then grew up in East St. Louis where his trumpet career began. His first trumpet was given to him at age 13 and was privately taught by his father’s friend Elwood Buchanan who directed a music school. By age 18 he got accepted into the Julliard School of music, however, while taking classes he sought out Charlie Parker. They joined up and performed at Harlem nightclubs; he started his career early and left the school. While in St. Louis he led small groups of musicians that challenged hardbop and bebop in the 50s. Not only was Davis a brilliant trumpet player he was also a composer, arranger, band leader, and producer.
While performing with Charlie Parker, Davis met many other performers that he would soon play with. This was the beginning of the formation of bebop, which is a fast and innovative version of jazz which defined the modern jazz era. In 1946 Davis made his first recording and shortly after that his classic improvisational style formed. Three years later Davis formed a unique band with nine members. It was unique with the various instruments used. With this band, multiple singles were made and contributed to modern jazz.
Davis got caught up with drugs and got addicted to heroin. This didn’t stop him from his music, but his work was not 100%. He got over addiction, and soon earned a recording contract with Columbia Records. While with Columbi...

... middle of paper ...

...m pneumonia and respiratory failure. His last Grammy was awarded to him for his recording with Quincy Jones.
Bibliography
1. "AllMusic." AllMusic. All Media Network, 2013. Web. 05 Dec. 2013.
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2. "John Coltrane - The Official Site." John Coltrane - The Official Site. John Coltrane
Foundation, 2001. Web. 07 Dec. 2013. .
3. "John Coltrane Biography." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, 1996. Web. 07 Dec.
2013. .
4. "Miles Davis." Miles Davis. Sony Music Entertainment, 2013. Web. 05 Dec. 2013.
.
5. "Modal Jazz." Modal Jazz. Jazz Standard, 2005. Web. 07 Dec. 2013.
.
6. "Tuning In, Jazz to Bebop." New York Times. (2002). Print.

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