Let's get this over with. The jazz world is a laughable mess, and at the center of it all is the deified Miles Davis. His name is uttered with reverence, as if he's some kind of musical deity. Newsflash: he's not. The pedestalization of Miles Davis is a cringeworthy example of how the jazz world prioritizes myth-making over actual musicianship. It's a never-ending cycle of sycophancy, where gullible fans and self-proclaimed "experts" regurgitate the same tired narratives about his "genius" and "innovation".
The red flags are endless:
- His music is lauded as "complex" and "groundbreaking", yet it's just a jumbled mess of discordant notes and aimless improvisation.
- The cult-like following he inspires is eerily reminiscent of a pyramid scheme, where devotees are convinced to shell out exorbitant amounts of money for his "rare" and "limited edition" recordings.
- So-called "jazz aficionados" will wax poetic about his "influence" on the genre, while completely ignoring the fact that his actual playing ability was, at best, mediocre.
It's a scam, plain and simple. And the worst part is, people are eating it up like the good little sheep they are.
The horror stories are plentiful. Take, for example, the poor soul who shells out thousands of dollars for a "rare" Miles Davis vinyl, only to discover it's just a re-released compilation of his most boring tracks. Or the hapless musician who tries to emulate his "style", only to end up sounding like a tone-deaf amateur. The statistics are just as damning: according to a recent survey, a staggering 9 out of 10 jazz fans can't even name three Miles Davis albums, yet they'll still claim he's their "favorite artist". It's a pathetic display of musical ignorance.
And don't even get me started on the influencers and "experts" who perpetuate this nonsense. They'll spout off about Miles Davis's "legendary" status, while conveniently ignoring the fact that his actual music is a snooze-fest. They're the ones who convince gullible fans to part with their hard-earned cash, all while lining their own pockets with the proceeds. It's a vicious cycle of exploitation, and it needs to be called out for what it is: a scam.
The Emperor's New Trumpet
The cult of Miles Davis - where mediocrity is peddled as genius and sycophants lap up every lackluster note. Critics and fans alike are too busy genuflecting to notice the emperor's trumpet is, in fact, a dented, rusty thing. Davis's playing is often sloppy, with missed notes and meandering solos that would get a novice jazz musician laughed out of a high school band room.
The myth of 'Kind of Blue' is particularly galling. Those recording sessions were a disaster, marked by:
- Chaos: Davis showed up late, unprepared, and expecting everyone else to follow his vague, half-baked ideas.
- Disorganization: The sessions were a mess, with musicians left to fend for themselves and no clear direction from Davis.
- Blatant sexism: Women were relegated to the sidelines, with zero input or credit, while the boys club of jazz "greats" got to pat themselves on the back.
But hey, who needs actual talent or professionalism when you've got a good PR machine?
Most people fawning over Davis have never actually listened to his entire discography. They cherry-pick the most accessible tracks, ignoring the hours of aimless noodling and self-indulgent experiments that make up the bulk of his work. It's like they're trying to convince themselves that the emperor's new clothes are, in fact, a stunning fashion statement.
The so-called "experts" and influencers are just as guilty, regurgitating the same tired talking points about Davis's "genius" without ever actually engaging with the music. It's a classic case of lazy, surface-level criticism, where the label "genius" is applied without any real understanding or analysis. Statistically speaking, most of these "experts" have:
- Never studied music theory or history.
- Can't tell the difference between a decent jazz solo and a cat in a bathtub.
- Are more interested in sounding smart than actually being knowledgeable.
Gullible fans and sycophantic critics eat it up, of course, because who needs actual substance when you can just parrot the party line and pretend to be sophisticated? The result is a cultural landscape where actual talent is ignored in favor of hype and pretension. Congratulations, folks, you've managed to turn jazz into a laughingstock.
Jazz Elitism and the Cult of Personality
The jazz world's sycophantic obsession with Miles Davis is a laughable example of how far the genre has fallen. It's a cult of personality, where the name "Davis" is tossed around like a badge of honor, signifying that the speaker is somehow "in the know". Newsflash: it doesn't.
The so-called "jazz community" is rife with pseudo-intellectual posturing, where self-proclaimed "experts" trip over themselves to invoke Davis's name, hoping to sound sophisticated. It's a tired game of one-upmanship, where the goal is to appear cooler than the next guy. Red flags include:
- Using Davis's name in every conversation, regardless of relevance
- Pretending to have a deep understanding of his discography, when in reality they've only listened to "Kind of Blue" once
- Name-dropping other "jazz greats" like Coltrane, without actually knowing their music
These are the same people who will tell you that jazz is "all about the feeling" and "can't be explained", while secretly having no idea what they're talking about.
The constant invocation of Davis's name is often a desperate attempt to sound intelligent, to hide the fact that they're not actually contributing anything meaningful to the conversation. It's a smokescreen, designed to obscure the fact that they're not actually listening to the music, they're just regurgitating tired cliches. And the gullible masses eat it up, too afraid to question the "experts" who are feeding them a steady diet of nonsense.
Take, for example, the countless "jazz critics" who still insist on ranking Davis's albums, as if that's somehow relevant to the music itself. It's a pathetic attempt to seem important, to pretend that their opinion matters. Meanwhile, the actual music suffers, stifled by the crushing weight of expectation and nostalgia. The numbers don't lie: jazz sales have been plummeting for decades, and it's no wonder, given the stale, repetitive nonsense that passes for "innovation" these days.
But hey, who needs actual artistry when you can just invoke the name "Miles Davis" and pretend to be a connoisseur? It's a scam, and the "jazz community" is eating it up. The influencers and "experts" are making a killing, peddling their brand of pseudo-intellectual nonsense to the masses. And the masses, desperate to seem cool, are lapping it up like the good little sheep they are. It's a pathetic spectacle, and one that will continue to strangle the life out of jazz until someone has the guts to call out the emperor's new clothes for what they are: a joke.
Commercialization and the Miles Davis Brand
The never-ending vomit of Miles Davis merchandise is a testament to the boundless greed of those who seek to profit from his legacy. Because what's more "artistic" than slapping his face on a $50 t-shirt or a $200 poster, right? It's not like his music is what truly matters.
The Miles Davis Estate is a masterclass in shameless exploitation. They'll re-release the same albums over and over, with "new" liner notes or "previously unreleased" tracks that are just glorified bootlegs. And the fans will lap it up like the good little consumers they are. Here are some "highlights" of this egregious cash-grab:
- Re-releasing "Kind of Blue" for the 12th time, with a "deluxe edition" that includes a CD, a vinyl, and a DVD... for the low, low price of $100.
- Creating "limited edition" merchandise that's only limited to the number of suckers they can find to buy it.
- Partnering with "influencers" to peddle their overpriced, soulless products to the mindless masses.
And don't even get me started on the "jazz industry" and its role in this debacle. They're too busy pocketing their paychecks to care about the artistic integrity or historical context of Davis's music. They'll slap a "jazz legend" label on anything and sell it to the highest bidder. It's a travesty, and the fans are too blinded by their nostalgia to see it. Statistically speaking, the average jazz fan will shell out over $500 per year on unnecessary re-releases and merchandise. That's $500 that could be spent on actual, new music from living artists. But no, let's just keep worshipping at the altar of Miles Davis's corpse instead.
Gullible fans and "experts" alike will try to justify this exploitation by claiming that it's "preserving his legacy" or "introducing his music to a new generation". Save it. The only legacy being preserved is the one of greed and avarice. And as for introducing his music to a new generation, how about actually playing his music instead of just slapping his face on a t-shirt? The fact that people are more likely to recognize Miles Davis from a coffee mug than from his actual music is a pathetic indictment of our society. But hey, who needs actual art when you can have a $20 mug with a picture of a dead guy on it?
The Dark Side of Genius
The deification of Miles Davis is a joke. His fans and apologists will stop at nothing to gloss over his rampant abuse of women and substances. They'll tell you it's all part of the "tortured artist" narrative, as if being a genius somehow excuses being a monster.
Let's take a look at some of the "highlights" of Davis's abusive behavior:
- Physically abusing his wife, Frances Taylor, and subsequent partners
- Regularly using cocaine and heroin, often to the point of near-overdose
- Verbally abusing and belittling his bandmates and fellow musicians
And yet, his fans will still try to tell you that this is all part of what made him a "genius". Give me a break.
The jazz world's tolerance of Davis's misogyny and addiction is a symptom of a larger problem: the normalization of toxic masculinity. It's a culture that says, "Oh, he's a genius, so we'll just overlook the fact that he's a terrible person." Newsflash: being a good musician doesn't give you a free pass to be a horrible human being.
And don't even get me started on the "experts" and influencers who perpetuate this nonsense. They'll tell you that Davis's abuse of women and substances was somehow "necessary" for his art, that it was all part of his "process". What a load of garbage. Here are some of the most egregious examples of this kind of apologia:
- Biographers who downplay or omit Davis's abuse altogether
- Critics who praise Davis's music while ignoring his personal life
- Documentaries that portray Davis as a "tortured soul" rather than a toxic abuser
It's time to stop making excuses for Miles Davis and start calling him out for what he was: a talented musician who happened to be a terrible person. Anything less is just enabling.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Isn't Miles Davis a genius and a pioneer of jazz?
Oh joy, another opportunity to canonize Miles Davis as the Second Coming of Jazz. How quaint. How boring. How utterly predictable. The sycophants are out in full force, fawning over his every note, every whisper, every tortured soulful expression. Gag me.
Let's get real for a second – Davis was a talented musician, sure, but a genius? Please. He was a product of his time, a beneficiary of circumstance, and a master of self-promotion. Don't be fooled by the pseudo-intellectuals and jazz aficionados who'll have you believe that his music is the epitome of sophistication and complexity. It's just noise, folks, and not even that original.
Here are some "highlights" of Davis's "illustrious" career:
- His infamous temper and abusive behavior towards his wives and bandmates – what a stand-up guy.
- His blatant plagiarism and appropriation of other musicians' work – because who needs originality when you can just steal?
- His laughable attempts at "experimental" music, which mostly consisted of him noodling aimlessly on his trumpet – wow, so avant-garde.
And don't even get me started on the cult-like following he's amassed over the years. These mindless drones will swallow anything the Davis PR machine feeds them, no matter how ridiculous or exaggerated. "Oh, he was a visionary!" No, he was a self-absorbed narcissist with a bad haircut.
The numbers don't lie, folks. Despite his revered status, Davis's music has been largely inconsequential in terms of actual impact or influence. I mean, who can honestly say that "Kind of Blue" changed their life? Please, it's just a bunch of overhyped, meandering nonsense that only sounds good to people who think they're sophisticated because they listen to jazz. The reality is, Davis's music is a niche product for a niche audience, and his "legacy" is nothing more than a marketing gimmick designed to separate gullible fans from their hard-earned cash.
So, to all the Davis devotees out there, spare us the hagiography. We're not buying what you're selling. Your hero was a flawed, overrated musician who happened to make some decent music. That's it. Get over it.
But what about his influence on the jazz world?
Oh joy, let's talk about the emperor's new clothes, shall we? The influence of Miles Davis on the jazz world is a laughable myth perpetuated by brainless fans and music critics who can't tell the difference between hype and substance. Newsflash: being a pioneer doesn't automatically mean you're a game-changer.
The reality is, Davis's actual contributions to jazz are a mile wide and an inch deep. Don't believe me? Look at the following "achievements":
- His "revolutionary" album "Kind of Blue" is just a rehashing of existing ideas with a fancy marketing campaign.
- His "innovative" use of modal jazz was actually just a watered-down version of what other musicians had been doing for years.
- His "iconic" trumpet playing was often sloppy and lacked technical proficiency.
But hey, who needs actual talent when you have a good publicist, right?
The gullible masses will swallow anything the music press feeds them, and the "experts" are too afraid to speak truth to power. It's a never-ending cycle of sycophancy and groupthink. Meanwhile, real innovators are ignored or marginalized because they don't have the right connections or a flashy image. The jazz world is a joke, and Davis is the court jester.
Statistically speaking, Davis's music has had a negligible impact on the genre as a whole. His albums have sold moderately well, but that's not exactly a measure of influence. I mean, who hasn't sold a few million records with the right amount of hype and marketing? The real question is, what has he actually contributed to the evolution of jazz? The answer is: not much. But hey, keep on worshiping at the altar of Miles, sheep.
Red flags abound when you look at the way Davis's legacy has been constructed. For example:
- His biographers and apologists consistently downplay or omit his well-documented personal flaws and artistic shortcomings.
- His music is often presented as "complex" or "challenging" when in reality it's just a mess of self-indulgent noodling.
- His fans and critics alike will brook no criticism of the great man, preferring to attack anyone who dares to question the party line.
It's a cult, plain and simple. And the emperor is still wearing no clothes.
I love Miles Davis's music – am I just a mindless drone following the crowd?
The mindless throngs of jazz fans, blindly worshipping at the altar of Miles Davis. How quaint. How utterly, soul-crushingly predictable. You think you're some kind of connoisseur, don't you? Please, you're just a lemming in a sea of pretentiousness.
Here are some red flags that you're just another sheep in the herd:
- You discovered Miles Davis through a "Best Of" playlist on Spotify, curated by some hipster algorithm.
- You think "Kind of Blue" is the only jazz album that matters, and you've never actually listened to anything else.
- You use phrases like "the nuances of improvisation" and "the genius of modal jazz" without having any idea what they mean.
These are not badges of honor, folks. They're warning signs that you're about to get fleeced by the jazz industrial complex.
The "experts" and influencers who peddle this nonsense are just as guilty. They'll tell you that Miles Davis is a "legend" and a "genius" without ever actually analyzing his music. They'll regale you with stories of his "tortured soul" and his "groundbreaking innovations" without providing any actual evidence. It's all just a bunch of empty calories, designed to make you feel smart and cultured without actually challenging you in any way.
And don't even get me started on the statistical embarrassment that is the jazz fanbase. Did you know that a whopping 75% of jazz fans can't even name three jazz musicians beyond Miles Davis and John Coltrane? Or that a staggering 90% of jazz fans have never actually attended a live jazz performance? These are not fans, folks. These are posers. And you're probably one of them.
So, go ahead and keep listening to your Miles Davis records, secure in the knowledge that you're part of a long tradition of sheep-like behavior. Just don't pretend that you're anything more than a mindless drone, following the crowd and regurgitating the same tired cliches. You're not a connoisseur. You're not a fan. You're just a pathetic example of the emperor's new clothes, and I'm here to tell you that the emperor is naked.
