The most important musician of the 20th century, one of a few whose contribution to music is almost immeasurable, mentor to some of the famous musicians of our century. All that and a lot more stands behind the name of the great Miles Davis.
His 1967 album Miles Smiles is among classics of jazz discography, while the same name today refers to an ensemble gathered around some of most important musicians of North America, all of whom at one point or another played and recorded with Davis. It is indisputable that Miles’s influence on the contemporary scene is still very strong, twenty years after his death just as it used to be when he was alive.
On 1 November, at the BKC, 16th Jazz Fest Sarajevo will present the ensemble Miles Smiles whose members are famous trumpeter Wallace Roney, the only trumpeter Miles ever mentored, saxophonist Rick Margitza who proved his status as one of most respectable musicians by playing with Miles, organist Joey DeFrancesco who was only seventeen when Miles recruited him, and who is today responsible for the revival of the Hammond organ.
One of the leading contemporary guitarists, Larry Coryell, worked with Miles during the 1980′s when bassist Darryl Jones joined Miles, taking over the place of equally spectacular Marcus Miller.
Omar Hakim, a Weather Report veteran, played with some of the most important names in the business, from Miles to Madonna, and left his stamp on hundreds of records.
The Miles Smiles ensemble is a true music pleasure that combines the music of one of the last century true greats with the today’s top level musicianship.
Watch their performance from July this year.