[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 37 (Tuesday, March 3, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E525]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              MILES DAVIS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. NEIL ABERCROMBIE

                               of hawaii

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 3, 2009

  MR. ABERCROMBIE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor one of the 
greatest jazz visionaries of our time, Miles Davis. Today is the 50th 
anniversary of his definitive album, Kind of Blue, and it is an 
occasion to recognize and celebrate his legendary mark on music. Born 
in 1926, Miles Davis took up the trumpet at age 13. Two years later, 
Davis joined the Musicians' Union and by age 19, had landed a contract 
with Capitol Records, playing in a combo led by alto saxophonist 
Charlie Parker.
  Many would say that examining Miles Davis's recording career is to 
examine the history of jazz from the mid-'40s to early '90s. From his 
initial recordings, which displayed a subtle, yet challenging style of 
``cool jazz'', Davis went on to change the course of jazz history in 
recording a new stylistic approach, known as modal jazz, on his 1959 
album, Kind of Blue. This album is perhaps the most celebrated jazz 
album in history. It hit quadruple platinum in sales, was ranked number 
12 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all 
time, and the musicians who participated are considered among the 
greatest jazz artists of the last century.
  Hardly content, Davis continued to experiment and innovate in 
producing such timeless and influential albums as Sketches of Spain, 
E.S.P., Miles Smiles and Nefertiti. As music progressed throughout the 
decades, so did Miles Davis. In the latter half of the century, Davis 
expanded his repertoire to include free jazz and elements of rock 
music, and extended his appeal far beyond the classic jazz audience.
  Miles Davis once said, ``The way you change and help music is by 
tryin' to invent new ways to play.'' Indeed, Davis brought innovation 
to jazz for nearly fifty years and stayed at the cusp of music's 
evolution. Recognizing his contributions to music, Miles Davis is now a 
part of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the St. Louis Walk of Fame and 
Down Beat's Jazz Hall of Fame. Madam Speaker, for his many achievements 
and his lasting example to musicians worldwide, I rise today to 
commemorate the 50th anniversary of Kind of Blue, to honor and to thank 
Miles Davis for the legacy he has left to art.

                          ____________________