Miles Davis' Catalog Acquired by Reservoir Media

"Next year would have marked Miles Davis' 100th birthday. In advance of the centennial, independent music rights company Reservoir Media has struck a deal with the Miles Davis estate to acquire 90 percent of Davis' music publishing rights and the estate's income from his catalog, according to The New York Times. Reservoir and the estate will share control of Davis' name and likeness. Terms of the acquisition have not been made public, though the Times estimates Reservoir to have paid between $40 and $60 million."

"Reservoir has also outlined plans for a celebration of Davis' centennial in 2026. These include a previously announced biopic centered on Davis' love affair with French singer Juliette Gréco- Mick Jagger is among the film's producers-an international tour by the former Miles Electric Band, now known as M.E.B., and a four-night "Miles Davis Centennial Celebration" to take place at San Francisco's SFJazz center this March."

"Reservoir currently administers the publishing catalogs of Snoop Dog and Joni Mitchell, among others, as well as the rights to songs by Sheryl Crow, the Isley Brothers, Offset, and Sonny Rollins. In 2021, the company purchased hip-hop and electronic label Tommy Boy Music, which led to De La Soul's full discography being made available on streaming for the first time. Sony Music has confirmed to Music Business Worldwide that it retains the recorded music rights to Davis' albums released between 1955 and 1985."

Reservoir Media acquired 90 percent of Miles Davis' music publishing rights and the estate's income while sharing control of his name and likeness with the estate. Financial terms were not disclosed publicly, though estimates place the payment between $40 million and $60 million. Reservoir plans centennial events in 2026 including a biopic about Davis' relationship with Juliette Gréco, an international tour by the former Miles Electric Band (now M.E.B.), and a four-night Miles Davis Centennial Celebration at San Francisco's SFJazz center. Reservoir already administers major publishing catalogs and purchased Tommy Boy Music in 2021; Sony retains recorded-rights for Davis' 1955–1985 albums. Vince Willburn Jr. said the partnership aims to elevate Davis' legacy.

Read at Pitchfork