Listening to Miles Davis with His Former Bandmates

On today’s episode of the Track Star podcast, we’re celebrating the centennial of Miles Davis with three musicians who share personal connections to the legendary bandleader.

First, we’re joined by Erin Davis, Miles’ youngest son, who had a firsthand look into his life as a musician, including the year he toured with his father as a percussionist in 1990. Next is Vince Wilburn Jr., Miles’ nephew, who carries forward the musical legacy of the Davis estate and also joined his uncle on stage in the 1980s. Finally, we welcome one of the greatest bassists in jazz history, Ron Carter. A three-time Grammy Award winner and widely recognized as the most recorded jazz bassist of all time--Carter performed with Miles in the legendary Second Great Quintet from 1963 to 1968.

Together, they guide us through different stages of Miles’ career by discussing several of his most iconic recordings. Carter also reflects on his personal experience performing with Miles and building his own path as a bassist. He describes how, for many years, bass players were kept “behind the palm trees,” treated mainly as timekeepers rather than creative voices, and how it took decades for the instrument to gain broader recognition as a true artistic force in jazz ensembles.

This episode offers a deeply personal look at the relationships, memories, and musical bonds these artists carry with them. We’re excited for you to hear it.

This Episode’s Tracklist:

00:00 - Intro

1:12 - Now’s The Time (Recorded 1945) - Charlie Parker

5:17 - Boplicity (Recorded 1949) - Miles Davis

13:55 - ‘Round Midnight (Live 1955) - Miles Davis (Ft. Thelonious Monk, Zoot Sims, Gerry Mulligan, Percy Heath & Connie Kay)

21:15 - Autumn Leaves (Recorded 1963) - Miles Davis

33:44 - Footprints (1967) - Miles Davis

35:03 - Nefertiti (1968) - Miles Davis

39:20 - Bitches Brew (1970) - Miles Davis (Ft. Wayne Shorter, Bennie Maupin, John McLaughlin, Chick Corea, Joe Zawinul, Dave Holan & Harvey Brooks)