Miles Davis Biography: Age, Net Worth, Siblings, Parents, Height, Ethnicity, Wife, Children, Songs

Miles Dewey Davis III, famously known as Miles Davis, was a legendary American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, and composer.

He picked up the trumpet at 13 and later attended Juilliard, though he left to focus on his jazz career.

Collaborating with icons such as Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie, Davis played a key role in shaping cool jazz, hard bop, and fusion.

His groundbreaking albums, Kind of Blue and Bitches Brew, remain among the most influential in jazz history.

Profile

• Full Name: Miles Dewey Davis III
• Stage Name: Miles Davis
• Born: 26, May 1926
• Date of death: September 28, 1991 (Aged: 65 years)
• Birthplace: Alton, Illinois, USA.
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Jazz trumpeter, bandleader, and composer.
• Height: 1.69m
• Parent: Miles Dewey Davis Jr. and Cleota Mae Henry Davis
• Siblings: Dorothy Mae and Vernon Davis
• Spouse: Frances Taylor (m. 1959–1968), Betty Mabry (m. 1968–1969) and Cicely Tyson (m. 1981–1989)
• Partners: Irene Birth Cawthon (ex), Marguerite Eskridge (ex), Juliette Gréco (ex) and Jo Gelbard (ex)
• Children: Miles Davis IV, Cheryl Davis, Erin Davis, and Gregory Davis
• Relationship: Divorced
• Net Worth: $10 million

Early Life And Education

Miles Dewey Davis III was born on May 26, 1926, in Alton, Illinois, USA. He was raised by his parents, Miles Dewey Davis Jr. and Cleota Mae Henry Davis, alongside his older sister, Dorothy Mae, and younger brother, Vernon.

Davis attended John Robinson Elementary School and Crispus Attucks School before briefly studying at Juilliard, though he did not complete his studies. He was of African American descent, and his religious beliefs were not publicly documented.

Career

Miles Davis launched his professional music career in 1941 when he joined the Eddie Randall band in St. Louis. In 1944, he moved to New York City to attend the Juilliard School, but his true passion lay in the city’s thriving jazz scene.

Soon, Davis left Juilliard to fully commit to his music career, collaborating with jazz greats like Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie. These early experiences played a vital role in refining his improvisational skills and distinctive trumpet technique, setting the foundation for his groundbreaking contributions to jazz.

During the late 1940s and early 1950s, Davis formed his nonet, leading to the release of Birth of the Cool, a defining album in the emergence of cool jazz. As his musical journey progressed, he formed his first quintet in the mid-1950s, featuring legendary musicians such as John Coltrane and Bill Evans.

This group was instrumental in shaping the sound of modern jazz and produced the seminal album Kind of Blue, widely regarded as one of the most excellent jazz recordings of all time. Throughout this period, Davis continued to push the boundaries of the genre, pioneering both hard bop and modal jazz while solidifying his status as one of jazz’s most influential figures.

By the late 1960s and into the 1970s, Davis embraced electric jazz, incorporating rock influences in groundbreaking albums like In a Silent Way and Bitches Brew. This shift marked the birth of jazz fusion and further expanded his musical influence.

After a hiatus due to health concerns, Davis made a strong comeback in the 1980s, exploring new sounds and collaborating with younger artists. Until his passing in 1991, he remained a relentless innovator, shaping jazz and contemporary music while inspiring generations of musicians with his ever-evolving artistry.

Social Media

Miles Davis does not have a social media account.

Personal Life

Miles Davis was married three times throughout his life. His first marriage was to dancer Frances Taylor, whom he met in 1953. They wed in 1959, but their relationship was troubled by physical abuse, ultimately leading to their divorce in 1968. He later married Betty Mabry, a model and songwriter who introduced him to rock and funk influences.

However, their marriage was short-lived and ended due to allegations of infidelity. In 1981, Davis married actress Cicely Tyson. Their relationship was turbulent, marked by infidelity and domestic violence, and they divorced in 1989.

Beyond his marriages, Davis had several significant relationships. His long-term teenage partner, Irene Birth Cawthon, was the mother of his three children: Cheryl, Gregory, and Miles Davis IV. He also had a relationship with Marguerite Eskridge, with whom he had a son, Erin Davis.

Davis was romantically involved with French singer Juliette Gréco in 1949, a relationship shaped by cultural and racial challenges. Later in life, he shared a deep bond with artist Jo Gelbard, whom he was with from 1984 until his passing in 1991.

Net Worth

At the time of his death in 1991, Miles Davis’s estimated net Worth was around $10 million. His earnings stemmed mainly from his successful albums, live performances, and recording contracts with major labels such as Columbia Records.