Miles was never Ivy IMHO-he went from "Continental" (short jackets, tight trousers, side vents) to Mod to Rockstar.

So because you saw Miles twice in the early 60's and he wasn't wearing Ivy League and that fact that you have never seen an image of MD in costume, that means that he has never worn IL.  Interesting concept.

I suggest that you do the reseach, seek and you will find. Period circa 1955 to 1962 you will find MD wearing IL elements. However being unique he embleshes with non IL elements ie continetal. Don't expecting to find an image of MD looking like George Plimpton!!!

RH

If anyone has a pic of MD wearing this sort of attire then post it. Otherwise I stand by my comments. Yes, I've read that paragraph before.

"Miles Davis did wear IL for an undefinable period." I will stick to my original quote. But he was smart enough to over do it and through in contiental elements to be unique. He didn't wear an IL uniform but for a period he wore IL elements, sometimes combined other influences. MD was probbably more continental that many Jazz musicians of this period, because of his extended stay in Europe.

We will have to beg to differ on this one, but when I see a man in loafers, OCBD shirt and a sack suit, I say that he is dressed in IL, even if it is only once.

Blue Note Jazz Photography of Francis Wolff, I have a copy of this book somewhere and I am sure that MD was dressed ILish in a couple of shots around mid 50s

RH

Hello again - I hope my 'horseradish' comment didn't look confrontational. If what that fellow says is wrong then it is horseradish.
I've got Workin' too and have always gone along with the idea that this was Miles in Ivy. Looking at it I do see the continental influences you mention. I wonder where that particular outfit came from. Was it Andover? Was it Miles' take on Ivy done in a fashion forward (for the times) continental way? I honestly don't know. I do agree he looks nothing like Plimpton or Bush Snr (who are Ivy, but not Trad to my eye).

'Kind of Blue' is said to Miles wearing Paul Stuart. That sounds Ivy enough until you start to think about the reality of Paul Stuarts offerings. They're hardly the Brooks University shop.

Interesting discussion here. My POV is that all I know is what I've read. And the quality of that depends entirely on the writers concerned.

My mind, such as it is, is always open.

Thanks -

Last edited by Voltaire's Love Child (2008-07-06 11:24:03)

^ And you've opened up a brand new vista for us - Thank you.

There was quite a bit of to-and-fro yesterday - So I want to make it clear: To me Mr. Meyer is a primary source and I value nothing more than that. I'm very easy on what Miles wore, the cat is dead & his motivations are lost to us, although I value the interpretations put on them by people like Charlie Davidson, etc.

Whatever the reality of Miles' wardrobe, Mr. Meyer was actualy THERE. And so I believe we should listen to him and add him to the mix of what we know & what we think we know.

Just sayin'.

Jim