Delving into the creative chaos behind Kind of Blue, the best-selling jazz album of all time, MILES. is a world premiere fusing live jazz, theatre, and never-before-heard recordings to explore the life and legacy of jazz icon Miles Davis. Running at Summerhall Arts (Tech Cube 0) from 31 July to 25 August (not 12), this 60-minute production is written and directed by Oliver Kaderbhai, with live music and original concept by acclaimed trumpeter Jay Phelps.
Actor Benjamin Akintuyosi makes his professional debut, portraying Davis and a host of other characters in a multi-rolling performance underscored by Phelps’s live trumpet. The show moves fluidly through time and memory, capturing the sound, pressure, and innovation of an artist who redefined modern music. Created using Davis’s autobiography and rare recordings, MILES. unfolds as a hypnotic, smoke-laced fever dream exploring addiction, reinvention, and the explosive cost of genius.
Kaderbhai, founder of devising company :DELIRIUM:, brings a unique lens to the story, shaped by his Anglo-Indian heritage and interest in identity under pressure. The production is supported by the Meadows Award, an initiative by Summerhall Arts to champion Artists of Colour.
Jay Phelps, a household name on the international jazz scene, brings over 20 years of experience to the stage. His collaborations span Wynton Marsalis to Amy Winehouse, and his latest album The Now was released this summer via Apple Music’s Platoon label.
