Reservoir Media has acquired the bulk of Miles Davis’ publishing catalogue, as well as a share of the artist income from his recorded music from the estate.
Reservoir will also partner with the estate on name and likeness opportunities. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. According to the New York Times, it was valued between $40 million and $60 million.
Sony Music continues to control the recorded music catalogue.
Ahead of the Miles Davis centennial in 2026, Reservoir is joining the estate – overseen by his daughter Cheryl Davis, his son Erin Davis and his nephew and musical collaborator Vincent Wilburn Jr, along with general manager Darryl Porter and attorney Jeff Biederman – to collaborate on celebrations.
The 100th anniversary will feature a variety of events, special programming, high-profile tributes and concerts, marketing collaborations, and other celebrations curated by Reservoir, the Miles Davis Estate, and various other partners.
Activations set to launch next year and beyond include: a feature film entitled Miles & Juliette recounting Davis’ love affair with Juliette Greco, developed in partnership with River Road Entertainment and Mick Jagger’s Jagged Films; a live, international symphonic show, which pairs Davis’ iconic sound with original orchestrations and footage; and an M.E.B. (formerly Miles Electric Band) international tour including the Miles Davis Centennial Celebration with four nights of special programming at SFJazz in March.
In recent years, the Miles Davis Estate has produced a broad range of content and events, including the Emmy-winning documentary, Miles Davis: Birth Of The Cool, and We Want Miles, a major travelling retrospective exhibition exploring the jazz legend’s musical and visual artistry.
Miles Davis is regarded as one of the most influential artists of all time. With over 60 studio albums, as well as another 60-plus live albums, box sets, compilations and soundtracks, Davis had an enduring and widely acclaimed career that earned him eight Grammys, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and an induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Miles Davis is one of the most influential musicians of all time, and it is an incredible honour that his catalogue has found a home at Reservoir
Golnar Khosrowshahi
Davis’ sonically diverse studio albums includes Birth Of The Cool (1957)’ Kind Of Blue (1959) – dubbed the best-selling jazz album of all time; and Bitches Brew (1970), his famously avant-garde jazz album embracing electronic and rock elements.
Both Kind Of Blue and Bitches Brew have been selected by the National Recording Registry as culturally significant works, while Kind Of Blue featured at No.12 on Rolling Stone’s list of The Greatest Albums Of All Time.
Erin Davis said: “We are so pleased to begin this new chapter of Miles’ legacy – we are looking forward to working with Golnar, David, and the entire team at Reservoir.”
Vince Willburn Jr added: “With Reservoir, there’s a real respect for Miles – his music, his style and his cultural impact. That means a lot to us. This partnership gives us the chance to elevate his legacy in new ways, and to ensure that his influence continues to inspire.”
Golnar Khosrowshahi, Reservoir founder and CEO, said: “Miles Davis is one of the most influential musicians of all time, and it is an incredible honour that his catalogue has found a home at Reservoir. We are deeply grateful to the entire Miles Davis Estate – Cheryl, Erin, Vince, Darryl and Jeff – for entrusting us with this responsibility.”
She added: "This moment is also a recognition of Reservoir’s proven commitment and capability to preserve legacies and reignite discovery of legendary artists on modern platforms, like streaming and social media. As we head into his centennial year, we look forward to showcasing Miles' brilliance to new audiences, ensuring his music continues to be heard and celebrated worldwide.”
David Hoffman, Reservoir vice president of A&R and marketing, said: “With an unrelenting commitment to innovation and exploration, Miles Davis has served as a blueprint for musicians and creatives of all kinds for decades. His music is elemental to me, and it is a dream come true to be working with his estate to share that passion with the world. The Reservoir team is proud to champion Miles’ incredible body of work, while honouring the essence and vision of a once-in-a-lifetime artist.”
FOLLOW 
