The Life, Times, and Musical Innovations of Jazz Icon Miles Davis

Trumpet legend Miles Davis stands as one of the most innovative and influential figures in jazz history, shaping nearly every major stylistic development of music throughout the second half of the 20th century. In this course, we explore Davis’s groundbreaking contributions from his early bebop years to his pivotal role in hard bop, cool jazz, modal jazz, post-bop, and jazz-rock fusion. Through focused listening, analysis and discussion, we dive into his groundbreaking recordings, explore the musicians he inspired and collaborated with, and uncover the stories behind his fascinating and colorful life. Along the way, we examine how Davis’s work both reflected and helped shape the musical, cultural, and political landscapes of the time.