The man was the very embodiment of 'cool' and one of the most influential musicians and composers of the 20th century. His music was to have an impact on jazz, fusion, rock, funk and soul.
His playing from the 1950's smokey blues of 'Kinda Blue' (voted jazz' greatest record) to a boxers jab like riffs of the electric bands were unmistakeable. No one else could have dreamt of electrifying a trumpet with a wah wah pedal!
Like Bob Dylan turning electric in the 1960's left a purist folk audience infuriated, Miles' 1969 release of Bitches Brew drew equal disclaim from his previous jazz classicist audience. The resulting bands that grew out of the Miles Davis groups sidemen were to be many and frequent. His planned recording with Jimi Hendrix can only be imagined due to Jimi's death in 1970.
Since Miles' parting, jazz and jazz fusion has stood in a corner without this extraordinary man leading the way.
Here is mid movement of one of Miles Davis' epic compositions Calypso Frelimo , recorded Sep 73, released on 'Get Up With It'
