Life of Miles Davis Free FirefoxToolbar. So who was Miles Davis? Well, for one he was a musician who consistently held the position of being at the forefront of just about every major development in jazz from World War II to the 1990's. Initially, he joined in on various early bebop records and then went on to record one of the first cool jazz records.

You could say Miles Davis was cool jazz. Add to this that at least in part, he was responsible for most of the major developments in jazz such as modal jazz and jazz fusion which came about from his work with other musicians in the late 60s and early 70s.

In America there has been a great tradition of jazz trumpeter's beginning with Buddy Bolden and then continuing on with the musicians such as Joe "King" Oliver, Louis Armstrong, Roy Eldridge, and Dizzy Gillespie. Davis was very much a part of that tradition although the way he went about it was much different. His contribution could not be said to be based on his technical ability, which was not as great as his predecessors but rather, on his style.

As a matter of fact It could be said that his distinctive and influential style was his greatest achievement as a musician. It was this unique style that existed both in the playing of his own instrument and the work of his bands in which some of the most important jazz musicians of the latter part of the 20th century made their names.

It was this above all else that changed the face of jazz forever. On March 13th, 2006 Miles Davis was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Add to this that he is also in the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame, Down Beat's Jazz Hall of Fame and St.Louis Walk of Fame.

To learn more about his life and times go to:http://www.lifeofmilesdavis.com