Davis helped found several of the major genres of modern jazz, including bebop, cool jazz, hard bop, modal jazz, and jazz fusion. His groups included many musicians who went on to greatness, including John Coltrane, Cannonball Adderley, Wayne Shorter, Horace Silver, Bill Evans, Herbie Hancock, Joe Zawinul, Chick Corea, Keith Jarrett, John McLaughlin, Paul Chambers, Ron Carter, Elvin Jones, Philly Joe Jones, and Jack DeJohnette. His album, Kind of Blue, is generally regarded as the best selling jazz album of all times and one of the most influential albums in jazz.
Davis's second quintet can be heard on the 1965 recording of "E.S.P.," which features a long, six-chorus solo by Davis, beginning at 1:23.
In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons recommends seven albums by Miles Davis, more than any other artist. These include:
- 'Round About Midnight (Purchase the CD at Barnes & Noble.)
- Porgy and Bess (Purchase the CD at Barnes & Noble.)
- Milestones (Purchase the CD at Barnes & Noble.)
- Kind of Blue (Purchase the CD at Barnes & Noble.)
- Four & More (Purchase the CD at Barnes & Noble.)
- Miles Smiles (Purchase the CD at Barnes & Noble.)
- Bitches Brew (Purchase the CD at Barnes & Noble.)
