Beyond the Legend: Gregory Hutchinson Keeps the Miles Davis Conversation Alive

Beyond the Legend: Gregory Hutchinson Keeps the Miles Davis Conversation Alive

​​Release date: april 3 2026

​“This project is not about trying to recreate Miles,” drummer Gregory Hutchinson explains regarding his new all-star release, Kind of Now – The Pulse of Miles Davis. “It’s about continuing that conversation he started.”

Joined by a powerhouse lineup including Ambrose Akinmusire, Ron Blake, Jakob Bro, and Gerald Clayton, Hutchinson breathes fresh life into the Davis canon. Rather than retreading the obvious hits, the project explores "deep cuts" and vibrant reinterpretations of classics like Charlie Parker’s ‘Ah-Leu-Cha’ and Miles’ own ‘Seven Steps to Heaven.’
A Centenary Celebration of Innovation

Arriving just in time for the centenary of jazz’s most iconic figure, the album’s ten interpretations span the full spectrum of Milesiana, from 1950s bebop origins to the electric frontier of Bitches Brew. Complementing these are three "Hutch" originals that bridge the gap between jazz's foundational roots and its future.

The Evolution of the Pulse

Hutchinson, a Brooklyn native whose career has seen him perform with a "Who's Who" of jazz giants, uses this record to pay homage to the legendary drummers who propelled Miles’ bands. From Philly Joe Jones to Jack DeJohnette, Hutchinson views these percussionists as architects of musical evolution.
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As nine-time Grammy winner Christian McBride notes in the album's liner notes, “There’s no shortage of Miles tribute records, but this one feels different. Under Hutch’s leadership, the music swings hard when it needs to and breathes with modern flexibility.”
By hand-picking a group of "young legends and lions," Hutchinson mirrors Miles’ own legendary leadership style, ensuring that the pulse of Davis’ music continues to beat in the present day.
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