By Stephen J. Charbonneau 'GBH 89.7fm's Saturday night host of The Jazz Gallery Miles Davis, to me, was the pathway and the door into Jazz. He's the link I use when introducing someone to Jazz. His musical voice is instantly recognizable, melodic, lyrical, dark and haunting, colorful and unique. There was no one before Miles and only one other Jazz artist that has captured my ears and my mind the way Miles Dewey Davis has. Separating the man from the music, his attitudes and actions from his musical genius, is something I find necessary.
Musicians are no different then today's superstar athletes.
Their actions on and off the field are not barometers of each other. No one is without flaws and some of us have more demons then others. Miles Davis had courage, strength, determination, insecurities, fear, and anger. I was not a Miles follower or even a fan. Miles Davis was approximately the same age as my Dad and some of my uncles.