THE MILES ELECTRIC BAND TO PERFORM AT POLAND’S LOTOS JAZZ FESTIVAL FEBRUARY 26, REVISING THE FRAMEWORK FOR MODERN JAZZ INNOVATION
All-Star Line Up Includes Miles Davis Alumni, Jazz Great Christian Scott and Renowned Programmer/Re-Mixer Jeremy Ellis (The Roots)
(Poland) – The Miles Electric Band, known for revising the framework for modern jazz innovation, has been tapped to perform at Poland’s Lotos Jazz Festival on February 26. The progressive ensemble, which features an All-Star line-up of Miles Davis alumni, in addition to jazz great Christian Scott and renowned DJ/Re-mixer Jeremy Ellis (The Roots), revisits repertoire from Davis’ electric period in paying homage to The Chief. For more information, please visit http://www.europejazz.net/jazz-pages/festival/lotos-jazz-festival#.
The 11-member ensemble features a unique roster of world class talent, including two time GRAMMY® nominee John Beasley and Robert Irving, III on piano; GRAMMY® nominee Badal Roy on tabla; legendary P-Funk guitarist Blackbyrd McKnight; acclaimed percussionists Munyungo Jackson and Mino Cinelu; GRAMMY® winning drummer Vince Wilburn, Jr. (nephew of Miles Davis); powerhouse saxophonist Antoine Roney (Lenny Kravitz), iconic bassist Richard Patterson (Boz Scaggs, Michael McDonald) and hip hop turntablist DJ Logic.
Key additions to the MEB/Lotos line-up includes GRAMMY® nominated trumpeter Christian Scott and renowned programmer/re-mixer Jeremy Ellis, widely known for his work with The Roots. The eclectic and highly innovative group was put together by Wilburn, with the intention to continue expanding the boundaries of music, while also paying homage to the classics.
The Miles Electric Band’s debut performance was at the Miles Davis Festival in Chicago in 2011 with a sold-out, standing room only crowd at Martyrs. This was followed up by another sold-out performance at the Hollywood Bowl in 2012, which also served to launch the record-breaking Miles Davis U.S. postage stamp, with more than 23 million in sales to date. In 2014, Miles Electric Band sold out the SF Jazz Center and received a standing ovation.
The earliest incarnation of this popular ensemble was called Bitches Brew Re-Mix, celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Bitches Brew, with their first performance at Silverlake’s famed Sunset Junction Fair, featuring a live re-mix by J-Rocc from the Beat Junkies.
2014 marked a banner year for Miles Davis, who continues to receive accolades, critical respect, fan appreciation and impressive record and merchandise sales, decades after his passing. The globally renowned music icon was honored by the city of New York with the street re-naming of West 77th Street to Miles Davis Way, with a dedication that included an official Block Party on his birthday (May 26). Additionally, the much anticipated Miles Davis film was launched with an Indiegogo campaign led by Don Cheadle, with filming of “Miles Ahead” completed in Davis’ home state of St. Louis.
The continuous popularity of Miles Davis remains as expansive as his music. Davis was just honored by the Down Beat Critics Poll for “Top Historical Album” for the third year in a row with Miles At The Fillmore – Miles Davis 1970: The Bootleg Series Vol. 3. Meanwhile, his landmark recording Kind Of Blue remains the best-selling jazz record ever, and is now also a vinyl best-seller. His mass crossover appeal has led to key event opportunities such as Miles Davis House at SXSW featuring trailblazer Lucinda Williams as headliner; CBGB Talks, a live Q&A conducted by veteran journalist Alan Light with Erin Davis (son of Miles) and Vince Wilburn, Jr., and the Record Store Day – Black Friday gathering at Vacation Vinyl celebrating Blue Vinyl. The spirit of Miles lives on.
For more information, please visit www.mileselectricband.com