05/27/2026
In MEMORIUM – MILES DAVIS
On the occasion of his 100 th Birthday, The Niagara Jazz Festival honours the late, great
and incomparable trumpet player and musical artist, MILES DAVIS. The son of a St.
Louis Dentist, Miles was one of the few, select torch bearers who fearlessly led us
through every 20 th Century and 21 st Century incarnation of jazz…from big band swing
orchestras, through small groups and the birth of bebop, into alternative modalities
(including his phenomenal work with Gil Evans), the “Electric Miles” ensembles and even
an un-released album project with Prince. Miles Davis has literally influenced every jazz
trumpeter, jazz musician and jazz-focused composer. He was a magician – a constantly
morphing creative force. His music was both penetrating and challenging. Sometimes
the musicians with whom he shared the stage were a good fit – and sometimes they
weren’t – but even that was part of the jazz experience. To quote Adam Sweeting from
The Sunday Times (London), “Miles Davis was the most influential individual in modern
jazz”.
The Niagara Jazz Festival will be honouring the legacy of this remarkable and eternal
talent with a special concert event tomorrow May 27 at Helliwell Hall, Featuring
