“Miles Davis Strasbourg profil bis” by Dr Jean Fortunet is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Reservoir Media has acquired the publishing catalog of jazz shapeshifter, trumpeter, and composer Miles Davis. The deal comes less than a year out from the artist’s 100th birthday, and grants the independent music rights company 90% of Davis’ music publishing rights, as well as the estate’s catalog income. While the official terms of purchase have not been publicly announced, The New York Times estimates that Reservoir paid between $40 million and $60 million. 

Reservoir and the estate share power over Davis’ name and likeness, and they have already noted plans to mark the artist’s centennial birthday with an array of commemorative offerings that preserve his legacy and story. Among them is a previously announced biopic [produced by The Rolling Stones’ Mick Jagger] about Davis’ relationship with French singer Juliette Gréco. 

Also on the docket for future entertainment is an international tour featuring the former M.E.B. [Miles Electric Band] lineup, in addition to a special four-night concert series, titled “Miles Davis Centennial Celebration,” happening in San Francisco, March 19-22, at the SFJazz Center. 

“With Reservoir, there’s a real respect for Miles—his music, his style and his cultural impact. That means a lot to us,” Vince Willburn Jr. said, speaking on behalf of the estate via press release. Davis’ nephew continued, “This partnership gives us the chance to elevate his legacy in new ways, and to ensure that his influence continues to inspire.”

Davis’ publishing catalog is the latest artist-focused lot to be managed by Reservoir Media, which also oversees those of Joni Mitchell and Snoop Dog, in addition to song rights to material by The Isley Brothers, Sonny Rollins, Offset, and Sheryl Crow. In 2021, Reservoir acquired hip-hop label Tommy Boy Music, which enabled De La Soul’s discography to return to streaming services. 

Notably, Sony Music Entertainment informed Music Business Worldwide that it retains the recorded music rights to Davis’ albums released between 1955 and 1985.