A museum dedicated to Miles Davis is collecting stories, photos and artifacts of people with memories of the musician to celebrate the 100th anniversary of his birth.
House of Miles East St. Louis launched its storytelling initiative earlier this year. Museum curators want to memorialize the artist by collecting memorabilia owned by people who had known Davis or have memories of his childhood home, now the site of the museum. The project started after curators heard from visitors of their experiences with Davis, said Lauren Parks, president and founder of the museum.
"I said, 'Oh my gosh, we have to gather all of these cool stories,' because I'm sure there's so many more people that have wonderful stories to share as well," Parks said.
Parks said they've heard stories from people who were close to Davis' family and those who used to live in the neighborhood.
He recalled how one visitor stood in the yard and pointed at the upstairs windows before walking into the museum. "He said: 'Oh yeah, that's his practice room. He practiced up there all the time. You could walk by the house, and you could hear him.'"
The museum is collecting books, writings and video testimony. Parks said while the museum doesn't know how it's going to present all of the stories yet, some will live online and others at the museum.
Some former collaborators have already submitted stories, including keyboardist and producer Jason Miles. Miles met Davis in New York City in 1986 before working on Davis' album "Tutu."
"Everybody has to start at a place," Miles said. "It was my dream to work with Miles, a huge dream to work with Miles."
Miles said the experience changed his life, and he worked with Davis on two more albums, "Amandla" and "Siesta" with bassist Marcus Miller, as well as recorded "100 Miles for Miles Davis," a tribute album. Miles said the storytelling project is important in showing Davis' lasting legacy.
"They kind of show the aspect of who he was, and these stories are all great stories," Miles said.
The project also coincides with the museum's 10-year anniversary and capital campaign. Parks said the museum is in its third phase of expansion and renovation, which will include a teaching and recording studio and renovation of the courtyard.
Davis, who was born on May 26, 1926, spent most of his childhood at the East St. Louis home. Davis' brother, Vernon Davis, lived at the home until his death in 1999. It was turned into a museum in 2016.
Parks said she's thrilled that this project has a local presence.
"Those that have a local perspective, yes, [it] makes it very very special because Miles Davis started somewhere," Parks said. "His foundation was somewhere, his mentors were somewhere and that somewhere is in the East St. Louis metro area."
House of Miles East St. Louis is accepting submissions through the end of the year.
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