Denver Jazz Fest Presents: John Beasley: Miles & More

“[Beasley’s] playing reflects . . . the emphatic chordal clusters of Herbie Hancock, the rhythmic quirkiness of Monk, and the lush intelligence of Art Tatum into a highly refined personal voice.”—Los Angeles Times

GRAMMY-winning pianist, composer, and arranger John Beasley performs a solo concert celebrating the music of Miles Davis, in an intimate show that will be a deep dive into the legacy of a musical icon, led by a master musician who was there.

Beasley’s connection to Miles is profound: He served as the legendary trumpet player’s keyboardist in the late 1980s. This firsthand experience gave him invaluable insight into Miles’s unique approach to music, particularly how soloists and accompanists interact — a lesson Beasley summarized as learning to “stay out of the way.”

Beasley’s affinity for Davis’s music and his ability to re-contextualize jazz history is evident in his acclaimed project, “Unlimited Miles.” While that usually features a sextet, this solo piano setting offers a rare and intimate perspective, allowing Beasley’s refined, genre-spanning musical voice to shine.

With two GRAMMY Awards and numerous nominations for his work — particularly with his acclaimed MONK’estra big band — Beasley’s accomplishments speak to his creative power. In this special performance, he channels the spirit of Miles, fusing his own highly refined style into a transcendent experience of Davis’s essential repertoire.

John Beasley: piano

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