Miles Davies and John Coltrane Research Lab Events

Miles Davis and John Coltrane are two of the most important and groundbreaking figures in jazz history. A Love Supreme and Kind of Blue are iconic masterpieces and continue to be worldwide bestsellers. Both musicians were born in 1926 and would celebrate their 100th birthdays this year.

To mark this occasion, Monika Herzig, JAM MUSIC LAB Private University (Vienna, Austria), in collaboration with Gary Motley, Emory University (Atlanta, USA), led a Research Lab on Miles & Coltrane during the summer semester of 2026. Students from both universities explored the music and social context of these artists together through lectures by John Hasse (Curator of American Music at the Smithsonian, Emeritus), Monika Herzig, and Gary Motley, as well as through collaborative performance work.

The results of this intensive semester-long project will be presented publicly in Vienna in May 2026, and everyone is warmly invited to attend.

May 4, 8–10 PM

ZWE
Floßgasse 4, 1020 Vienna

Jam Music Lab University presents Miles and Coltrane
Special Guests: Agnes Lakatos and Tibor Barna (Liszt Academy Budapest)
Host: Monika Herzig

Second Set Jam Session

May 12, 8 PM

Miles Smiles
Lange Gasse 51, 1080 Vienna

Miles @ 100
Background and Life’s Work

Dr. Monika Herzig, Professor of Artistic Research / Vice Rector, Jam Music Lab University

Jazz musician and scholar Dr. Monika Herzig presents and discusses the life and legacy of Miles Davis on the occasion of his 100th anniversary.

May 21, 8 PM

Miles Smiles
Lange Gasse 51, 1080 Vienna

Miles @ 100
Jam Music Lab Presents: Music and Reflections – Research Lab Summer 2026

During the Summer 2026 Miles & Coltrane Research Lab, students from Jam Music Lab together with students from Emory University in Atlanta (USA) explored the history and music of Miles Davis and John Coltrane. They now share these experiences with the audience through words and music.