The catalog and legacy of Miles Davis, one of jazz’s most influential figures, have entered a new chapter. Reservoir Media, the independent music rights company, has finalized an agreement with the Davis estate to acquire a majority stake in the late trumpeter’s publishing rights, along with the estate’s share of income from his recordings.

The deal gives Reservoir 90 percent of Davis’ publishing catalog and a significant role in stewarding his body of work. It also establishes a partnership with the estate to oversee the use of Davis’ name, image, and likeness. While the financial terms were not revealed, the scale of the agreement reflects the enduring cultural and commercial weight of Davis’ contributions to music.

The timing of the acquisition is not coincidental. Davis would have turned 100 in 2026, and the estate is preparing an expansive slate of projects to mark the centennial. Born May 26, 1926, in Illinois, Davis went on to reshape modern music through landmark albums such as Kind of Blue, Sketches of Spain, and Bitches Brew. He died in 1991 at the age of 65, but his influence continues to define generations of jazz and beyond.

Reservoir and the estate plan to celebrate the centennial with events, performances, and multimedia initiatives designed to reintroduce Davis to new audiences while honoring his legacy for longtime fans. Among the most ambitious projects is a new live production that will feature orchestrations of his music alongside fresh visual interpretations, extending Davis’ reputation as a restless innovator.

In addition to the orchestrated live show, the M.E.B., formerly known as the Miles Electric Band, will embark on a global tour. The ensemble includes alumni who once performed with Davis, ensuring the concerts will carry an authentic connection to the spirit of his music.

Another high-profile endeavor tied to the centennial is the forthcoming biopic Miles & Juliette. The film will dramatize Davis’ relationship with French singer and actress Juliette Gréco, a romance that blossomed in postwar Paris and became one of the defining personal stories of his life. Damson Idris will portray Davis, with Anamaria Vartolomei starring as Gréco. Mick Jagger’s production company, Jagged Films, is among those backing the project, though no release date has been set.

For Reservoir Media, the Davis acquisition represents another milestone in its strategy of building a diverse, high-value catalog. Founded in 2007 by Golnar Khosrowshahi, the company has expanded rapidly in less than two decades, securing publishing or recording rights tied to artists such as Joni Mitchell, Snoop Dogg, Sheryl Crow, Sonny Rollins, the Isley Brothers, and rapper Offset.

Reservoir is perhaps best known for its 2021 purchase of the iconic hip-hop label Tommy Boy Records. That acquisition resolved years of disputes over De La Soul’s catalog and ultimately paved the way for the group’s music to reach streaming platforms for the first time. The company’s move into jazz through Davis underscores its commitment to preserving music history across genres while generating opportunities for future discovery.