The Grammys and the story of 100 Miles for Miles Davis
- jasonmiles8
- 14 hours ago
- 3 min read
The Grammys and the story of 100 Miles for Miles Davis .2 Years Ago it really came to my attention that in 2026 it would be Miles Davis 100th birthday. I really at that point really started to think about what I could do to honor the most important artist I ever worked with and that truly changed my life. I started to hear from a distance about all of these events that other musicians and organizations had planned. I immediately knew that it was going to be a crowded field of musicians that were going to try and get live performances and tribute shows out there. Many doing the exact same thing
The people that truly know me know that I have always looked for my own original ideas with recordings, live performances. That is my lane. So I took the temperature out there and came to the conclusion that there would be very few if any original recordings out there and maybe none with new music. I could tell my story of Miles and my personal experiences with him through new songs with great artists and performances. Of course I had to write new music. I wrote a new song called 100 Miles featuring my group The Lisbon Electric 4Tet and had Randy Brecker and Ada Rovatti as special guests. I got it done..there we go..However when I played it for just a few friends they put the press on and told me they really dug it and I need to make a whole album to get the attention it deserves and I have the cred to do it.
Kathy and I had some serious discussions as spending $$ on one song is different that a whole album. We decided that if I was ever going to do it this was the album. I spent 3 months writing and recording new music. Of course doubts about whether it was good or not but after listening,fixing,recording listening fixing I gave it to Jimmy Bralower to mix and master.. He got it and did a great job and if you think its easy mixing a record with one guy in Lisbon and one in New York with a 5 hour time difference..Think again..
My friend Arnie Holland at Lightyear Entertainment loved it and wanted to distribute it through Virgin. Arlette Hovinga got me on TV in Paris on France 24 and a radio interview with Joe Farmer.I did a Podcast at the Efil Tower with Jazzabela, Great reviews in major publications and several awards ..
Now here we are. I just submitted for the 2026 Grammys in 5 categories. Best Contemporary Music Album, Best Jazz Performance (solo piano of Miles to Miles ) Best Composition(100 Miles ) Video 100 Miles..The amazing video done by Ian Truitner and best album art ..The original painting by Jo Gelbard and cover design by Karin Haslinger...
So I'm hoping I have the support of my musicial friends who are academy members. I Put this all out there. Didnt blink when we had to spend and know that I made an important album that I can live with through my time left and beyond..You'll be hearing more about this as we get closer to doing the inevitable FYC..
Also November 12 here in Portugal I do the first date at the CCB of 100 Miles that starts our European Tour..So keep your eyes here and I'm not going to do this kind of project again. If you are a member of The Recording Academy I hope you'll consider supporting me. If Not..Check out the album.. The Video Link is below...ts been a journey
