In 2026, Miles Davis and John Coltrane would have each turned 100, a centennial that underscores their lasting impact on jazz.
On Feb. 28, pianist Emmet Cohen will bring their music to Shannon Hall with “Miles and Coltrane at 100,” revisiting the sound of these two artists, who helped shape the genre.
Both legends previously performed in this space—Coltrane in 1966 and Davis in 1971—making the program a return as much as a tribute.
Keep reading to learn more about Davis’ and Coltrane’s partnership, their influence on modern jazz, and how Cohen is carrying that legacy forward with the Feb. 28 program.
Miles Davis and John Coltrane first crossed paths as members of the Miles Davis Quintet, a collaboration that helped establish both artists as defining figures in jazz. Their time working together is often cited as one of the most important chapters in the genre’s history. Each would go on to lead influential groups of his own, shaping the direction of jazz across multiple decades and expanding its audience in the process.
Their impact extends far beyond any single period or project. Davis and Coltrane became touchstones for what jazz could be: music driven by curiosity, change, and individual voice. Their influence remains present whenever musicians return to their work for inspiration rather than imitation.
Cohen approaches this lineage with equal parts respect and curiosity. His playing draws from historical repertoire with ease, but he treats tradition as something active rather than fixed.
Cohen's “Masters Legacy Series” is his signature project, a series of albums and media documenting collaborations with legendary jazz masters, aiming to preserve and share their wisdom and music. In his hands, the questions that drove Miles and Coltrane remain alive: how does the music evolve, and what possibilities sit just beyond its familiar edges?
Emmet Cohen is no stranger to this role, telling the stories of jazz artists past and present. His livestream series, “Live from Emmet’s Place,” offered an intimate, community-driven space for musicians at a moment when live performance had nearly vanished. The series brought attention to emerging players, invited cross-generational collaboration, and brought many new listeners to contemporary jazz.
Shannon Hall has witnessed the work of these giants before, and this performance brings their influence back into the space through a new generation of artists. Audiences will hear the legacy of Miles Davis and John Coltrane as something alive, shaped in the present moment and carried by musicians defining the sound of today. Single tickets are available now for Emmet Cohen: "Miles and Coltrane at 100" featuring Jeremy Pelt & Tivon Pennicott, performing at Shannon Hall on Feb. 28.