Sketches of Miles

Latest From The Series

A Night in the Village: The Cafe Bohemia Broadcasts

In this episode, host Loren Schoenberg look at the Cafe Bohemia Broadcasts and what makes them so special.

Episode 23 • June 26, 2026

Miles's Drummers- Philly Joe Jones

In this episode, host Kenny Washington covers the great work of Miles Davis with Drummer Philly Joe Jones and what made their collaboration so special.

Episode 22 • June 25, 2026

If I Were a Bell: Miles Plays Broadway

In this episode, host Will Friedwald explores Miles Davis's approach when it comes to Broadway classics. Guys and Dolls, Porgy and Bess and Pal Joey, to name a few.

Episode 21 • June 24, 2026

Three Little Feelings: Miles and the Third Stream

In this episode, host Ken Poston, walks you through Miles Davis's involvement in Third Stream. The combination of Classical Music and Jazz. John Lewis's Three Little Feelings is discussed as well as Poem for Brass by J.J. Johnson. These are important pieces of music that Miles Davis was involved in during this period.

Episode 20 • June 22, 2026

Cookin', Workin', Steamin', Relaxin'- The Final Prestige Sessions

In this 75 minute episode, host Chuck Granata and his guest Ashley Kahn explore the pivotal 1956 Prestige sessions that resulted in the iconic albums "Workin'," "Cookin'," "Steamin'" and "Relaxin'" with The Miles Davis Quintet (featuring John Coltrane).

Episode 19 • June 19, 2026

'Round About Midnight: Inside the Session

Ken Poston goes inside the famous Miles Davis 'Round About Midnight session.

Episode 18 • June 18, 2026

Trane's Blues: A Portrait of John Coltrane

Loren Schoenberg and his special guest, Lewis Porter, who is the foremost expert on the life and music of John Coltrane, explores John Coltrane's career and his connection to Miles Davis.

Episode 17 • June 17, 2026

1955 Newport Jazz Festival: The Comeback

Loren Schoenberg covers this historic period of Miles Davis's career. Hi scomeback at the 1955 Newport Jazz Festival.

Episode 16 • June 16, 2026

Miles's Drummers- Kenny Clarke

Drummer and Educator and KSDS host, Kenny Washington covers the drummers of Miles Davis. This episode focuses the spotlight on Kenny Clarke.

Episode 15 • June 15, 2026

Musings of Miles: 1954 Sessions

Hosted by acclaimed pianist and educator Eric Scott Reed, this episode explores a pivotal year in Miles Davis's life and career as he emerged from addiction, rebuilt his health and artistry, and returned to the national jazz scene with renewed purpose. Through recordings from 1954, listeners will hear the joy, energy, and creative freedom that marked this remarkable comeback period. The program also examines the musical influences, collaborations, and life experiences that helped shape Miles's evolving sound and set the stage for his rise to legendary status.

Episode 14 • June 12, 2026

Crazy Sunday: Back to California

Hosted by Ken Poston, this episode highlights a unique chapter in Miles Davis's career during a brief stay on the West Coast in 1953. Featuring rare recordings from a memorable appearance with the Lighthouse All-Stars at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach, the program offers a fascinating snapshot of Miles as a guest performer during a transitional period in his artistic development. Listeners will hear seldom-heard material and gain fresh insight into Miles's evolving sound and growing presence on the national jazz scene.

Episode 13 • June 11, 2026

Down: More Prestige 1953

Loren covers this remarkable period of Miles Davis's career. It features tracks that have not be shared yet. It's his "Prestige Period," in 1953.

Episode 12 • June 10, 2026

Dig: Portrait of J.J. Johnson

One of the terrific collaborations that Miles Davis had was his relationship with Trombonist, J.J. Johnson. J.J. had the language of bebop down. Listen to this episode and find out all about the most formative bebop trombonist there ever was, J.J. Johnson.

Episode 11 • June 09, 2026

Doxy: Miles and Sonny Rollins

This episode explores the remarkable relationship of Miles Davis and Sonny Rollins.

Episode 10 • June 08, 2026

Jazz Corner of the World: The Birdland Broadcasts

This episode explores a remarkable series of live broadcast recordings from 1950-1953 captured at the legendary Birdland nightclub in New York, the famed venue named in honor of Miles Davis's mentor, Charlie Parker. This episode highlights Miles in strong early form alongside an extraordinary rotating lineup of jazz giants, including Charlie Parker, Jackie McLean, Sonny Rollins, Big Nick Nicholas, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, and Art Blakey, among others. These historic performances reveal a pivotal period in modern jazz, capturing the energy, experimentation, and evolving language that would help define Miles Davis's early trajectory as a bandleader and visionary.

Episode 9 • June 05, 2026

Conception: Early Prestige

We explore the early years during Miles' groundbreaking tenure with Prestige Records. Featuring classic studio sessions with the remarkable musicians who joined him, this episode showcases a compelling look at the foundation that helped Miles emerge as a prominent bandleader and establish his place in modern jazz.

Episode 8 • June 04, 2026

Focus: Tadd Dameron Big 10 and Paris

Guest Host Paul Combs, Author and Saxophonist, and one of the foremost experts of Tadd Dameron leads us through the story of how Miles Davis met Tadd and the remarkable results of this collaboration.

Episode 7 • June 03, 2026

Boplicity: The Birth of the Cool

We cover when Miles Davis meets Gil Evans (via Claude Thornhill), one of the most important relationships and partnerships in jazz (Miles and Gil Evans). This episode gives you the path of how The Birth of the Cool was born and the elements of jazz that led to it.

Episode 6 • June 02, 2026

Jumping with Symphony Sid: Bird at the Royal Roost

In this episode we journey back to Miles Davis in 1948 at New York�s legendary Royal Roost, where Charlie Parker and his groundbreaking groups redefined jazz with their great jam sessions. Radio host Symphony Sid would do broadcasts from there. Relive the vibrant energy of the bebop era with this episode of 'Sketches of Miles.'

Episode 5 • June 01, 2026

Donna Lee: 1947 Back to New York

This episode covers Donna Lee, a composition that Miles wrote, was a catalyst for getting Gil Evan's attention. It was also the first original composition of Davis that was recorded. This was one of the tunes of early BeBop. And, in this year (1947), Miles had his 1st recording date as a leader. In August of 1947. Miles was becoming a very in-demand player.

Episode 4 • May 29, 2026

Yardbird Suite: Following Bird to Los Angeles

In 1946, Miles Davis hooked up with Benny Carter's band to come to Los Angeles where Charlie Parker was. Miles stayed for approximately 8 months and makes some recordings and met some other young musicians.

Episode 3 • May 28, 2026

Now's the Time: The Koko Session

Today's Sketches of Miles will focus on a tremendous significant jazz recording and also in Miles Davis's career. It's the very first session that Charlie Parker made under his own name and who did he ask to play the trumpet? 19-year-old Miles Davis.

Episode 2 • May 27, 2026

The St. Louis Days

In this first episode of 'Sketches of Miles,' we will trace Miles's first 18 years in his native St. Louis. While there are no recordings at that time we will delve into some music samples that will amplify how he became one of the giants of music. Let's start with Miles in St. Louis, just after his 30th birthday in 1956. Take a listen and be sure to check out the picture gallery that is tied to this episode.