Miles Davis

Miles Davis was a renowned American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, and composer. He was born on May 26, 1926, in Alton, Illinois, and grew up in a middle-class family. Davis began playing the trumpet when he was 13 years old and went on to study music at Juilliard School of Music in New York City.

Davis’s career spanned over five decades, during which he played with many legendary jazz musicians and released numerous albums that became classics. He is considered one of the most influential musicians in jazz history, credited with pioneering a new sound with his innovative use of modal jazz, which he introduced in his seminal album “Kind of Blue” (1959).

Throughout his career, Davis collaborated with many other musicians, including John Coltrane, Herbie Hancock, and Wayne Shorter. He won numerous awards, including nine Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006.

In 1995, the United States Postal Service honored Davis with a commemorative stamp as part of the American Music Series. The stamp features a portrait of Davis against a blue and purple background, with his name and “jazz innovator” printed at the bottom.