Miles Dewey Davis III was born on May 26, 1926, to an affluent African American family in Alton, Illinois. His father, Miles Dewey Davis, Jr. , was a dentist. In 1927 the family moved to East St. Louis, Illinois.avis' mother, Cleota Mae Davis (nee Née), henry wanted her son to learn the; piano she was a capable blues pianist but did not Tell. Miles his musical studies began at, 13 when his father gave him a trumpet and arranged lessons with local Musician Elwood. buchanan