New York-headquartered Reservoir Media has acquired Miles Davis’ music publishing catalog.
The New York Times reports that the deal, which closed in August, includes 90% of Davis’ music publishing rights and of the estate’s income from his recordings.
Reservoir will also partner with the late Jazz icon’s estate on name and likeness opportunities.
Update: Sony Music has confirmed that it retains ownership of Miles Davis’ recorded music rights to his classic run of albums released between 1955 and 1985.
The deal marks the latest for acquisitive Reservoir Media, which The New York Times reports has spent $876 million on M&A (across catalogs and other companies) since its inception in 2007.
The NYT report cites Reservoir Founder and Chief Executive Officer Golnar Khosrowshahi as saying that the “sweet spot” for the company’s deals is $40 million to $60 million.
Financial terms of the Miles Davis deal were not disclosed, but The New York Times suggests that it is “estimated to be in that [price] range”.
Reservoir noted in its official announcement on Tuesday (September 9) that Davis “is regarded as one of the most influential artists of all time”.
With over 60 studio albums to his name, as well as another 60+ live albums, box sets, compilations, and soundtracks, Davis earned eight Grammys, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and an induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Davis released records including Birth of the Cool (1957), Kind of Blue (1959), and Bitches Brew (1970 ).
Both Kind of Blue and Bitches Brew have been selected by the National Recording Registry as culturally significant works, and Kind of Blue featured at No.12 on Rolling Stone’s list of The Greatest Albums of All Time.
“We are so pleased to begin this new chapter of Miles’ legacy — we are looking forward to working with Golnar, David, and the entire team at Reservoir.”
Erin Davis
Erin Davis commented: “We are so pleased to begin this new chapter of Miles’ legacy — we are looking forward to working with Golnar, David, and the entire team at Reservoir.”
“This partnership gives us the chance to elevate his legacy in new ways, and to ensure that his influence continues to inspire.”
Vince Willburn Jr
Vince Willburn Jr. added: “With Reservoir, there’s a real respect for Miles — his music, his style and his cultural impact. That means a lot to us. This partnership gives us the chance to elevate his legacy in new ways, and to ensure that his influence continues to inspire.”
Credit: Becky Yee
“As we head into his centennial year, we look forward to showcasing Miles’ brilliance to new audiences, ensuring his music continues to be heard and celebrated worldwide.”
Golnar Khosrowshahi
Reservoir Founder and Chief Executive Officer Golnar Khosrowshahi said: “Miles Davis is one of the most influential musicians of all time, and it is an incredible honor that his catalog has found a home at Reservoir.
“We are deeply grateful to the entire Miles Davis Estate – Cheryl, Erin, Vince, Darryl and Jeff – for entrusting us with this responsibility. This moment is also a recognition of Reservoir’s proven commitment and capability to preserve legacies and reignite discovery of legendary artists on modern platforms, like streaming and social media.
“As we head into his centennial year, we look forward to showcasing Miles’ brilliance to new audiences, ensuring his music continues to be heard and celebrated worldwide.”
“With an unrelenting commitment to innovation and exploration, Miles Davis has served as a blueprint for musicians and creatives of all kinds for decades.”
David Hoffman, Reservoir
Reservoir Vice President of A&R and Marketing David Hoffman, said: “With an unrelenting commitment to innovation and exploration, Miles Davis has served as a blueprint for musicians and creatives of all kinds for decades.
“His music is elemental to me, and it is a dream come true to be working with his estate to share that passion with the world. The Reservoir team is proud to champion Miles’ incredible body of work, while honoring the essence and vision of a once-in-a-lifetime artist.”
Reservoir said on Tuesday (September 9) that ahead of the Miles Davis Centennial in 2026, the company is joining the estate, overseen by his daughter Cheryl Davis, his son Erin Davis, and his nephew and musical collaborator Vincent Wilburn Jr., along with general manager Darryl Porter and Attorney Jeff Biederman, “to pursue and collaborate” on celebrations commemorating the 100th anniversary of Davis’ birth.
The Centennial will feature a variety of events, special programming, high-profile tributes and concerts, marketing collaborations, and other celebrations curated by Reservoir, the Miles Davis Estate, and various other partners.
Activations set to launch next year and beyond include: a feature film entitled Miles & Juliette recounting Davis’ love affair with Juliette Greco, developed in partnership with River Road Entertainment and Mick Jagger’s Jagged Films; a live, international symphonic show, which pairs Davis’ iconic sound with original orchestrations and cherished footage, giving audiences “an opportunity to experience his enduring legacy in a brand new way”; and an M.E.B. (formerly Miles Electric Band) international tour including the Miles Davis Centennial Celebration with four nights of special programming at SFJazz in March.
In recent years, the Miles Davis Estate has produced a broad range of content and events, including the Emmy Award-winning documentary, Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool, and We Want Miles, a major traveling retrospective exhibition exploring Davis’ musical and visual artistry.
In its earnings report published last month, Reservoir Media posted$37.2 million in revenue for Q1 of its fiscal 2026, which corresponds to Q2 of calendar 2025. That’s an increase of 8% YoY, or 5% YoY on an organic basis excluding acquisitions, driven forward by a large increase in synch revenues in its music publishing division and continued growth in digital revenues in its recorded music division.
Reservoir recently invested in immersive entertainment company, Lightroom, arriving a month after Reservoir struck “a multifaceted deal” with independent record label Fool’s Gold Records in a deal that saw Reservoir acquire the catalog master rights of the label’s artists A-Trak, Danny Brown, Grande Marshall, The Brothers Macklovitch, and Low Pros.
Reservoir acquired Tommy Boy Music in 2021 in a deal valued at approximately $100 million. In February, the company acquired UK dance and electronic label New State, and the label’s entire recorded music catalog of over 13,000 tracks.
Reservoir revealed in May that it spent over $115 million on acquisitions and advances in its latest fiscal year (ended March 31, 2025).Music Business Worldwide
