Article Contributed by Shore Fire Media
Published on 2026-05-26
Photo courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment
Miles Dewey Davis III was born 100 years ago today, May 26, in Alton, Illinois, destined to become one of the most transformative figures in modern culture. A visionary trumpeter, composer, bandleader, painter, and style icon, Davis spent five decades redefining sound and reshaping the boundaries of creative expression. His constant reinvention would influence not only generations of musicians, but also fashion, film, visual art, and global culture.
An ambitious celebration of this Centennial milestone, spearheaded by the Miles Davis Estate and global independent music company Reservoir (Nasdaq: RSVR), is well underway, uniting world-class cultural institutions, brands, record labels and beyond to honor one of the most influential artists in history.
Davis’ 100th is being met with celebrations and deeply felt appreciations. The New York Times invited artists including Erykah Badu, Damson Idris and esperanza spalding to detail their favorite song, and shared a Visual Dictionary on Davis being "the pre-eminent avatar of cool." The Wall Street Journal published an extensive cultural commentary, remarking that Davis "remains one of the defining artists of the 20th century." The Los Angeles Times interviewed Chuck D, Carlos Santana, Flea and others on why he "is the GOAT," Jeopardy! featured Davis in a clue, and Trackstar hosted an interview with Davis’ son Erin and nephew Vince Wilburn, Jr., with legendary bassist and collaborator Ron Carter.
Birthday Week Events:
In New York City this week, several events will take place, beginning tonight (May 26) with the premiere of The Voice of Miles: A Symphonic Celebration at National Sawdust. The event pairs Davis’ original trumpet recordings with newly commissioned orchestral arrangements. The show returns to NYC at Central Park Summerstage August 21.
On Wednesday May 27, the New York Public Library will host a special event tied to the newly issued Centennial edition of Davis’ 1991 autobiography Miles (Simon & Schuster). Moderated by Davis scholar and GRAMMY-winning writer Ashley Kahn, with panelists including Miles’ son Erin Davis, and nephew Vince Wilburn, Jr.
On Friday May 29, Rhino Records will host a listening event for Miles and Quincy Live at Montreux at Rough Trade. Selections from the album will be played on Rough Trade’s concert-grade L-Acoustics system, and the panel discussion will include Wilburn and Erin Davis. Also on May 29, The Apollo Theater and Carnegie Hall’s United In Sound: America at 250 will host Muted Genius - a screening of Miles Electric: A Different Kind of Blue and panel discussion featuring Antonio Hart, Vince Wilburn Jr. and Dr. Monica L. Miller.
Exhibitions & Listening Events:
Davis’ red lacquer Martin Committee trumpet, mouthpiece, leather carrying case and mute are featured in Tower of Song: Iconic Songwriters & Recordings, a new exhibit at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles. Photography exhibits featuring legendary images of Davis have opened in Los Angeles at Mr. Musichead, and Morrison Hotel Gallery’s LA and NYC locations. The Mr. Musichead gallery was just featured in the Los Angeles Times. The Cooper Hewitt Museum in New York City is featuring different Davis albums every Sunday as part of their “Art Of Noise” exhibit.
Partnerships:
Millions of Slack users will be able to celebrate Davis’ birthday starting today; the team communications platform now features his music and artwork in their Huddles experience. SiriusXM launched the Miles Davis Radio channel on satellite channel 67, running through May 27 and on the SiriusXM app through June 19. A dedicated Miles Davis Channel on Music Choice runs through June 30. Dad Grass is introducing Miles Davis Bitches Brew by Dad Grass, a limited-edition THC-infused Leisure Drink paying tribute to Bitches Brew, Davis’ landmark 1970 album. Featuring notes of guava and hibiscus, the federally legal, hemp-derived, low-dose THC beverage will be available this summer. Phillips Dropshop will reveal a limited-edition art print by Ludovic Nkoth that was inspired by Davis, available this summer.
Simon & Schuster just published the Centennial edition of Davis’ autobiography Miles, with a new cover and forewords by Hanif Abdurraqib and Nas, which Rolling Stone debuted. Off-White, the brand founded by Virgil Abloh, launched their F/W ‘26 Mr. Davis: The Spirit of Miles Davis collection during Paris Fashion Week. “Miles and Miles,” a Lexus commercial featuring Davis’ “Blue In Green,” the Kind of Blue LP and some of his paintings debuted in January. Singer-songwriter Laufey also wrote lyrics to “Blue in Green” in partnership with Amazon Ads and Lexus, premiering it during a livestream event that also revealed a one-of-one Blue In Green Edition Lexus RV. Miles & Juliette, starring Damson Idris (F1) as Davis and Anamaria Vartolomei (Mickey 17) as Juliette Gréco, and directed and co-produced by Bill Pohlad alongside Mick Jagger and Victoria Pearman, is forthcoming.
Reissues:
The labels that have stewarded Miles Davis’ catalog are celebrating with a range of releases, including Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group’s Blue Note Records, Warner Music Group’s Rhino, and Concord’s Craft Recordings. Highlights include The Complete Live At The Plugged Nickel 1965 and ATMOS mixes of several Davis titles (Legacy), Miles ‘56: The Prestige Recordings, a 3-disc set of pivotal recordings from 1956 (Craft), Miles & Quincy: Live At Montreux - remastered and available on vinyl for the first time in the U.S., and Doo Bop, recut as standard black vinyl (Rhino), and the Tone Poet Vinyl Edition of Birth Of The Cool, mastered from the original analog phono reel master tapes and pressed on 180g vinyl at Record Technology Inc (Blue Note).
The Music of Miles, On Stage:
Live concert programming includes Miles Electric Band’s international touring through ‘26. MEB features Davis’ nephew Vince Wilburn Jr. on drums, Rolling Stones bassist Darryl Jones, Keyon Harrold on trumpet and several Davis band alumni, and thus far has performed at Montreux Jazz Festival Miami, Big Ears, and four nights at SFJazz. MEB’s full itinerary is available here and includes a number of festivals, European dates, and the LA Phil in Feb ‘27. Additional tributes to Davis include at Newport Jazz Festival this summer, and Herbie Hancock at the Hollywood Bowl with Terrence Blanchard, Ron Carter, Marcus Miller, Christian McBride, Kenny Garrett and more on August 17. Blue Note New York will host musician and rapper Terrace Martin from May 26-May 31, for a residency entitled “Spirit By Miles.”
The Estate, overseen by Cheryl Davis, Erin Davis, and Vincent Wilburn Jr., alongside General Manager Darryl Porter and Attorney Charles J. Biederman, emphasizes that the centennial aims to reflect the imagination, excellence, and fearless reinvention that defined Miles Davis’ life.
