Thank you to everyone who came out to the Miles Davis and Edith Piaf First Day of Issue ceremony yesterday in New York! It was the perfect way to celebrate these music icons.

Held at the Rubin Museum of Art, the event drew a talented cast of musicians, producers, and family, all eager to celebrate the lives and achievements of both legends. Ronald A. Stroman, Deputy Postmaster General, USPS, dedicated the stamps, accompanied by (clockwise starting left) June Townes, singer; Erin Davis, Miles’ son; Mark Ruffin, journalist and radio personality; Vincent Wilburn, Jr., Miles’ nephew and musician; Tania Stavreva, pianist; George Avakian, producer, Columbia Records; Cheryl Davis, Miles’ daughter; Don Was, President, Blue Note Records; and Maria Elena Infantino, singer and actress, and Edith Piaf impressionist.

Maria Elena Infantino performing a tribute to Edith Piaf

A joint issue with France’s La Poste, these stamps celebrate a lively musical conversation between nations. Edith Piaf, forever associated with her hometown of Paris, is one of few French popular singers to become a household name in the U.S.; the great American jazz trumpeter Miles Davis is beloved in France, where he performed frequently.

The ceremony included remarks from legendary jazz bassist Ron Carter, who played with Miles as part of the Miles Davis Quintet, as well as Miles’ daughter Cheryl and his son Erin. Closing the ceremony was a jazz quartet of students from the Juilliard School of Music, playing a few of Miles Davis’s hits.

We had an absolute blast! Were you at the event? Tell us about your experience. What was your favorite part? If you weren’t able to make it to New York yesterday, we hope to see you at another event!

Name, image and likeness of Miles Davis with permission from Miles Davis Properties, LLC.