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Rapp on Jazz: Miles Davis

FILE - In this June 1, 1987 file photo, American jazz musician Miles Davis performs in the old Roman Amphitheater in Caesarea, North of Tel Aviv, Israel. Davis appeared for the first time at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1955 and gave a career-reviving performance. This year's program book is Miles-centric as the festival, which begins July 31 at Fort Adams State Park, celebrates the 60th anniversary of the jazz legend's historic Newport debut. (AP Photo, File)
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FILE - In this June 1, 1987 file photo, American jazz musician Miles Davis performs in the old Roman Amphitheater in Caesarea, North of Tel Aviv, Israel. Davis appeared for the first time at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1955 and gave a career-reviving performance. This year's program book is Miles-centric as the festival, which begins July 31 at Fort Adams State Park, celebrates the 60th anniversary of the jazz legend's historic Newport debut. (AP Photo, File)

TRANSCRIPT:

Hi, I’m Mark Rapp, and this is Rapp on Jazz.

Visionary trumpeter and bandleader Miles Davis pioneered multiple jazz styles throughout his five-decade career. He was accepted into Juilliard but dropped out to join Charlie Parker's bebop quintet. Davis collaborated with John Coltrane and Herbie Hancock, creating some of the most iconic moments in jazz history. Out of his fearless experimentation and ever-evolving style came albums like “Kind of Blue” and “Bitches Brew.” The former remains one of the most popular jazz albums of all time.

Davis's ability to innovate, from modal jazz to jazz fusion, has made him one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century.

This has been Rapp on Jazz, a co-production of ColaJazz and SC Public Radio, made possible in part by Layman Poupard Publishers, producers of the Literary Criticism Series and the Dictionary of Literary Biography.