In the 2001-2002 NBA season, MJ returned to the game after his second retirement—this time as a member of the Washington Wizards. Commemorating his reemergence, Nike brought back designer Wilson Smith lll to create an Air Jordan that met the moment. To capture MJ’s mid-air wizardry and ability to improvise in flight, the AJ 17’s design drew from the improvisational nature of jazz. As the AJ 17 design started, the Jordan Brand signed the first musician, jazz player Mike Phillips to the brand roster.

Inspired by the improvisatory flow of jazz, Smith relied on flowing lines as a primary element of the AJ 17 and accented the shoe with music notes on the lace caps. To match performance with style, the shoes came equipped with a Zoom Air bag in the heel, along with a full-length shank plate and a TPU heel stabilizer. At the time, the AJ 17’s were the most expensive AJ’s ever created with a retail price of $200. The innovative package system reflected the shoe’s immersive commitment to its inspiration, presenting the AJ17 in a metal briefcase befitting a traveling jazzman and a digital guide to the shoe’s design.