Denver Jazz Fest: John Beasley on Miles at 100

Grammy-winning pianist, composer, and bandleader John Beasley joins us to talk about his upcoming appearances at the Denver Jazz Fest, including a solo piano recital at Classic Pianos (April 8) and the all-star Unlimited Miles: Miles @ 100 concert at the University of Denver’s Newman Center (April 10). 

Beasley shares how he approaches a solo piano performance, what it’s like honoring Miles Davis as the only alumnus in his Unlimited Miles band, and how he’s reimagining Miles’s music—from “Birth of the Cool” to “Kind of Blue” and beyond—as a dreamlike journey across decades. He also reflects on playing with Miles himself, setting the record straight on Miles’s misunderstood stage persona, and the deeper lessons he learned about space, listening, and musical intention. 

The conversation dives into Beasley’s role as longtime music director for International Jazz Day and the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz, the power of global musical collaboration, and why arts education is essential—not optional. Plus, Beasley previews upcoming projects with Marcus Miller, and his new album with the SWR Big Band “Invisible Piano” (release date May 8, 2026 on o-tone music). Enjoy this wide-ranging conversation about legacy, creativity, and why great music should never stand still.