While I think that Miles was a fantastic musician... and technically amazing. I think that the reason he is so famous in the jazz world is for his constant innovation. Listen to Kind of Blue and then listen to Bitches Brew. These are two very different albums, two albums that we very edgy and pushed the listener just the right amount. It is not just his technical ability, but what he did with it.
I think that after a certain point of technical ability it is impossible to say who is the *best*, because after a certain point everything gets really niche-y. Who is the best at what, and so on.

In terms of modern day heroes for a young jazz artist like myself, I look to the new generation of jazz musicians pushing their craft (go to youtube and look up "Brian Blade drum solo jazz crimes") -- People like these guys are the new Miles Davises.

By the way, there are plenty of musicians from back in the day who are on par with Miles. Look at Coltrane, Parker, Gillespie, Monk, Han****. Miles often gets the spotlight while equally fantastic musicians get overlooked, at least by the main stream.

Just listened to Sketches of Spain today, and lord, how this man amazes me. Definitely one of if not the most prolific jazz composer ever.

You gotta give a lot of the composition/arrangment credit to Gil Evans not to miles. Gil did the arrangements and wrote 4 of the 8 tunes. Miles did not write any of them.
Miles a great band leader yes.

Miles the great composer hmmm. . . .

More info on Sketches of spain here:
Sketches of Spain - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Even though I have a lot of his stuff I've not really got around to giving it the attention it deserves yet.

Having said that one album of his that jumped out at me is his live album Pangaea.

It's just mental.

Definitely didn't know that, but I was referring to Davis in general, and not just on that lone album. He's worked with Stan Getz on multiple occasions as well, and I'm sure he played a big part in the music's arrangement.

Any particular favourite from SOS ls? I persnoally love Solea..

Anyway, I don't consider him the best or my favourite, but I have no issues whatsoever with other people doing so.. Totally understandable :p

Nothing beats 'In A Silent Way' though...

It's all about Bitches Brew.

hehe
I'll pass, I did not enjoy that one.

He was great, but young people don't care much about the past so he's being forgotten. But he was great.

You also must remember, sound systems are more advanced, people today hear the sound all candy coated, Miles didn't have that.