Innovation: Miles Davis - A Story of Serial Innovation in Music

If you are driving innovation, or if you have an innovation challenge at hand, or if you are challenged to serially innovate, sometimes it makes sense to get inspired from totally different fields to get a different and more creative point of view.

When talking about serial innovators we immediately have a list of people in mind. -- To only mention a few:

• Thomas Edison (1847-1931) - Edison was an American inventor and businessman who developed many devices that greatly influenced life around the world. He is considered one of the most prolific inventors in history, holding over 1,000 patents for his innovations. Some of his most impactful innovations include the electric power distribution system, the motion picture camera, and the incandescent light bulb.
• Henry Ford (1863-1947) - Ford was an American industrialist and the founder of the Ford Motor Company. He revolutionized the automotive industry and the mass production of goods, making the automobile accessible to a broader segment of society. He is often credited with creating the modern assembly line and establishing the principle of "Fordism."
• Steve Jobs (1955-2011) - Jobs was an American entrepreneur and inventor who co-founded Apple Inc. and was the driving force behind several of the company's innovative products, including the Macintosh computer, the iPod, the iPhone, and the iPad. Jobs transformed the way people use technology and revolutionised the personal computer, music, and mobile phone industries.

Recently I stumbled over the biography of famous jazz musician Miles Davis. - When it comes to music, Miles Davis was one of the most innovative and transformative musicians of the 20th century, known for his ability to constantly push the boundaries of the genre and experiment with new sounds and techniques. Throughout his career, he made a number of significant contributions to the world of music, each of which had a major impact on the way that jazz and other genres were perceived and performed.

One of Miles Davis' most significant innovations was his role in the development of the bebop style of jazz, which emerged in the 1940s. Bebop was characterized by its fast tempos, complex harmonies, and virtuosic improvisation, and it represented a major departure from the more traditional forms of jazz that had preceded it. Miles Davis was a key figure in the bebop movement, and his virtuosic trumpet playing and intricate solos were a major influence on other musicians of the time.

Another major innovation that Miles Davis was involved in was the development of modal jazz in the late 1950s. Unlike traditional forms of jazz, which were based on chord progressions, modal jazz relied on a single musical mode, or scale, as the foundation for improvisation. This approach allowed for a greater degree of freedom and experimentation, and it was a major influence on the development of jazz fusion and other forms of experimental music.

Perhaps one of the most significant innovations of Miles Davis's career was his experimentation with electric instruments and rock rhythms in the late 1960s and early 1970s. This experimentation led to the creation of jazz-rock fusion, which became a major commercial success and had a profound influence on the course of popular music. Miles Davis's album "Bitches Brew" released in 1970, is considered a pioneering album in the fusion genre.

Finally, It is also worth mentioning that Miles Davis was not just a musician but also a style icon. He was known for his sharp fashion sense, and his style influenced not just his peers but also the fashion industry as a whole. This made him not just a musical innovator but a cultural innovator as well.

In conclusion, Miles Davis was a jazz musician who was renowned for his innovative approach to music. He played a key role in the development of bebop, modal jazz, and jazz-rock fusion and his experimentation with electric instruments and rock rhythms had a profound influence on the course of popular music. His influence and legacy continue to inspire musicians and audiences to this day.

After Miles Davis, jazz music continued to evolve and diversify, with a number of different subgenres and styles emerging. Some of the key innovations and developments in jazz after Davis include:

• Jazz Fusion: Building on the experimentation that Miles Davis had done with electric instruments and rock rhythms, jazz fusion became a popular subgenre in the 1970s. Jazz fusion combined elements of jazz, rock, funk, and other genres, and was characterized by complex harmonic structures and virtuosic improvisation. Artists like Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, and Weather Report were some of the most prominent jazz fusion musicians of the time.
• Jazz-Rap: In the late 1970s and early 1980s, jazz and hip-hop began to cross-pollinate, resulting in the emergence of jazz-rap. Jazz-rap combines elements of jazz and hip-hop music, and often features live instrumentalists playing alongside rappers. Groups like Gang Starr, A Tribe Called Quest, and Digable Planets were some of the pioneers of this genre.
• Acid Jazz: In the 1980s and 1990s, a new subgenre of jazz emerged, known as acid jazz. Acid jazz was heavily influenced by funk and soul music, and often featured elements of electronic music. Artists like Jamiroquai, Brand New Heavies, and Galliano were some of the most prominent acid jazz musicians of the time.
• Neo-Soul: In the late 1990s and early 2000s, a new subgenre of jazz known as neo-soul emerged. Neo-soul combined elements of jazz, R&B, and hip-hop, and often featured elements of gospel and funk music. Artists like Erykah Badu, D'Angelo, and Jill Scott were some of the most prominent neo-soul musicians of the time.
• Jazz-Pop: In recent years, a new subgenre of jazz, known as jazz-pop, has emerged. This genre combines elements of jazz and pop music, and often features elements of electronic music. Artists like Gregory Porter, Gregory Porter, and Jamie Cullum are some of the most prominent jazz-pop musicians of the time.

It's worth mentioning that these are just a few examples of many subgenres and innovations in jazz music after Miles Davis, and the scene is constantly evolving. With the rise of new technologies, the use of electronic instruments and soundscapes within jazz has been on the rise in recent years. There are also many young jazz musicians who are pushing the boundaries of the genre and creating new sounds and styles.