Miles Davis is and remains one of the most iconic figures in jazz history. His relentless drive for innovation inspires generations of musicians to this day and extends beyond his own time. In the year he would have turned one hundred, Brussels Jazz Orchestra and trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire join forces for a unique project that looks forward with a fresh, contemporary vision rather than backward in nostalgia.

For (…) What’s Not There, Brussels Jazz Orchestra, Ambrose Akinmusire, and arrangers Guillermo Klein and Lennert Baerts read between the lines. ‘Don’t play what’s there, play what’s not there,’ proclaimed Miles Davis. He was not only a fantastic trumpeter but also a legendary bandleader who had an incredible talent for bringing together the right musicians and then elevating them to a stratospheric level. To let them listen to the silences in the music and to feel what is possible when you allow space for musical connection, depth, and innovation. It is a well-kept secret that Miles did not write many of his released compositions himself but surrounded himself with composers and performers who could embody and articulate his musical vision on paper.

Akinmusire, Klein, and Baerts dove into the rich oeuvre published by Miles and selected some of their personal musical highlights from the 60s, 70s, and 80s of the last century. This music does not represent a classical tribute but rather serves as a basis for both 
new creations and innovative arrangements specially tailored to soloist Akinmusire, who plays the absolute lead role. He approaches (…) What’s Not There with immense respect for the influential trumpeter, bandleader, and composer and possesses an almost encyclopedic knowledge of his discography. The result is a dynamic musical narrative with multiple perspectives that reflects the essence of Miles’ legacy while simultaneously breaking new ground through a contemporary interpretation.