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May 6, 2013
‘Miles Davis: The Art Of Cool’ Launches June 8 Through July 28

“A painting is music you can see, and music is a painting you can hear” — Miles Davis

“MILES DAVIS: THE ART OF COOL”, PRESENTED BY NAPA VALLEY MUSEUM IN PARTNERSHIP WITH NAPA VALLEY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER AT LINCOLN THEATER, LAUNCHES JUNE 8 THROUGH JULY 28

EXHIBITION TO FEATURE 35 PIECES OF ORIGINAL ARTWORK BY MILES DAVIS ALONG WITH PERSONAL EFFECTS, SPECIAL EVENTS & PROGRAMS

(NAPA VALLEY, CA) – The “Miles Davis: The Art Of Cool” exhibition, presented by Napa Valley Museum in partnership with Napa Valley Performing Arts Center at Lincoln Theater, launches June 8 through July 28, it was announced by Kristie Sheppard, the Museum’s Executive Director. The exhibition will feature 35 pieces of original artwork by Miles Davis, on display at both Napa Valley Museum and Lincoln Theater, in addition to personal effects, special events, programs and a film screening. The exhibition is sponsored by Miner Family Winery.

Davis has long been noted for his restless artistic aesthetic, which played into his changing the course of music five times, his continued status as a fashion icon, and his globally recognized artworks, which most recently have been featured in Paris, Brazil and Montreal to outstanding acclaim.

A quintessential Renaissance Man, Davis continues to break records as the U.S. Postal Service’s most successful and fastest-selling iconic stamp in recent years, with more than 23 million sold to date.

His musical legacy is also firmly intact, with landmark album Kind of Blue still the best-selling jazz record of all time, in addition to being recognized with a Congressional Resolution in honor of its 50th Anniversary.

The Miles Davis: The Art Of Cool exhibition will include a multitude of varied facets that represents the true genius of Miles.

“We are incredibly fortunate to host the first United States showing of Miles Davis’ artwork and we’re thrilled to bring his art and musical influence to the Napa Valley,” says Raymond Schmitter, Napa Valley Museum Chairman of the Board of Trustees.

“Let’s raise a glass and toast to our partnership with the Napa Valley Museum and the Performing Arts Center, as we celebrate the artistic and musical genius of Sir Miles Dewey Davis,” comments Vince Wilburn, Jr., nephew of Miles Davis, representing Miles Davis Properties, LLC. “Cheryl (Davis), Erin (Davis) are extremely excited about this exhibition and we look forward to visiting Napa Valley.”

The exhibition features Miles’ sketches and oil paintings and some personal items including one of his prized trumpets, a 1989 Grammy Award and a Miles Davis Yamaha Amplifier.

A VIP & Members Only Reception kicks off Friday, June 7 from 5 – 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 for Museum Members and $30 for Guests and include hors d’oeuvres from Dean & DeLuca, wines from Miner Family Winery and Kieran Robinson Wines, and jazz by Graham Bruce.

Bruce Hopewell, a jazz lover, producer, and good friend of Miles Davis, is working with the Museum and Theater to present a calendar of programs and performances during the exhibition:

  • Saturdays, June 15th and July 20th at 11am – Guided tour of the exhibition (included in admission)
  • Saturday, June 22nd from 11am-1pm – Children of all ages are invited to an instrument petting zoo, where children can learn about different instruments, listen to jazz, and create art based on the music they hear.
  • Saturday, June 29th at 7pm – film showing of ‘Round Midnight with an introduction and Q&A with Maxine Gordon, Dexter Gordon’s widow, the Napa Valley Performing Arts Center at Lincoln Theater
  • July 25th at 7pm – Evening with Miles presented by Bruce Hopewell
  • July 27th – Miles Davis Tribute Concert at the Napa Valley Performing Arts
    Center at Lincoln Theater

The Napa Valley Museum & Napa Valley Performing Arts Center at Lincoln Theater are situated mid-valley in the historic town of Yountville, between St. Helena and Napa. Napa Valley Museum, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located at 55 Presidents Circle is open Tuesday-Sunday from 10am-4pm. The Museum features changing art exhibitions in two galleries and a permanent exhibition about the history of Napa County. www.NapaValleyMuseum.org.

Napa Valley Performing Arts Center at Lincoln Theater, which operates under the aegis of the Lincoln Theater Foundation, a nonprofit public benefit 501(c)(3) corporation, is dedicated to creating a comprehensive, sustainable performing arts center where education and community are as important as entertainment, to supporting and showcasing local performing arts organizations, to developing the next generation of artists and audiences, to helping philanthropic organizations raise awareness and funds for their causes, to offering the full gamut of first-class local, national and international entertainment, and to being an asset to the Veterans Home and the entire Napa Valley region. www.lincolntheater.org.

Miles Davis is one of the most innovative, influential and respected figures in the history of music. He is credited with changing the course of music five times and has been at the forefront of jazz for decades, setting trends and exploring musical styles from bebop through cool jazz, fusion and funk. His landmark album
Kind Of Blue remains the most significant and greatest selling jazz album of all- time. Congress unanimously honored Kind Of Blue by the passing of H. Con. Res. 894, reaffirming the work as a national treasure. The current Miles Davis Quintet –
Live In Europe 1969: The Bootleg Series Vol. 2, is critically acclaimed across the board, receiving 5 star reviews and a “9” in Pitchfork.

The exhibition was inspired by Miles Davis: The Collected Artwork a new book by Scott Gutterman with Miles Davis, Foreword by Quincy Jones, Afterword by Cheryl Davis and Reflections by Vince Wilburn Jr. and Erin Davis. Scheduled for release on October 10, 2013, the book is a comprehensive collection of the musician’s artwork. This long-overdue celebration of Davis’ visual art is a treasure for art lovers and music aficionados alike, who will appreciate this extraordinary window on the life of a creative genius. www.insighteditions.com

For more information about the exhibition and events, please visit www.NapaValleyMuseum.org.

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