What About Miles Davis?

Renowned for his invention and always-changing sound, Miles Davis was among the most important jazz artists of all time. Here are ten fascinating, unusual, and cool bits on him:

1. He almost turned into a boxer—Davis studied with renowned fighter Sugar Ray Robinson and loved boxing greatly. He appreciated the discipline of the sport and even used its motions to help him to control his breathing on his trumpet.


2. His raspy voice came from a throat condition. Davis’s notably rough voice was not genuine. It sprang from a 1955 surgery to eliminate polyps from his vocal cord. He damaged his voice irreversibly by speaking too soon following surgery against medical advice.

3. He painted quite brilliantly—Davis became quite passionate about painting and visual art later in life. Galleries displayed his abstract pieces, therefore highlighting another aspect of his creative output.

4. He Strolled Off White House Stage—During an honor White House dinner in 1987, a guest asked him what he had done to merit being there. Angry, Davis answered simply, “Well, I’ve changed music five or six times. How have you behaved?”

5. He Hated Old Music—Davis was always advancing, unlike many jazz performers who stayed performing their old tunes. He hardly went back over old records since he thought music should change instead of being duplicated.

6. He Almost Died During a Police Action—Davis was standing outside smoking in 1959 outside the Birdland jazz club in New York when a police officer advised him to move aside. Davis declined, saying he was performing in the club, and the officer arrested him after striking him on the head with a nightstick.

7. He Dated Some Iconic Ladies—Davis was romantically connected to well-known ladies, such as actress Cicely Tyson and singer Betty Mabry (who inspired his funk-rock record Bitches Brew).

8. He once lived with Charlie Parker Davis shared quarters with renowned saxophonist Charlie Parker while a young musician in New York. Though Parker’s hectic lifestyle was difficult to live with, this time was crucial for his growth.

9. He Mostly Quit Music to Concentrate on Driving Ferraris—Davis retired in the late 1970s, driven in part by health problems but also by his passion for fast cars. Before returning to music, he devoted much of his time to gathering and racing Ferraris.

Ten. He Inspired a Young Prince—Davis was much loved by the funk great Prince, and the respect was reciprocal. Though it never quite came to pass, the two even intended to work together. Prince’s songs had a great impact on Davis’ late-career fusion sound.

Miles Davis was a real cultural figure and an always-changing artist, more than just a jazz musician.