Generique. The Paris Moment of Miles Davis

Generique is a composition by jazz legend Miles Davis, recorded in Paris in 1958. The piece, which features Davis on trumpet, marked a turning point in his career and had a profound impact on his life and music.

Miles Davis was at his peak feeling inspired by Paris and his freedom as an artist and a person. Maybe he should have never left for New York and lived in Europe for a longer time because he felt loved, and inspired and for the first time, he felt no racism around him.

At the time of the recording, Davis had just finished a successful tour of Europe with saxophonist Charlie Parker. The two had been playing together for several years, but their relationship was becoming strained due to Parker’s drug addiction. In Paris, Davis decided to strike out on his own and formed his own band.

“Generique” was composed by Miles Davis for the French film “L’Ascenseur pour l’Echafaud” (Elevator to the Gallows) directed by Louis…