MILES DAVIS RADIO PROJECT, THE, PT. 1 OF 7: MILES
DAVIS: THE EARLY YEARS, 1926-1946 (RADIO)
Summary
Part one of this syndicated, seven-part biographical series about legendary jazz artist Miles Davis, narrated by Danny Glover. Part one examines the early years in the life of Davis, featuring interviews with childhood friends from East St. Louis, Illinois. The co-producer of the series, Quincy Troupe, and Davis himself explore the influence of his family, parents, and neighborhood on the jazz artist's life and music. Davis remembers his early band experiences and his first big break, when he substituted for an ill trumpet player in The Billy Eckstine Band during their tour. He remembers his decision to leave St. Louis to study at the Juilliard School in New York City, and the influence of that move on his music. The program includes examples of Davis's early studio work, including his first known studio recording, "That's the Stuff You Gotta Watch," by Rubberlegs Williams. Other songs by Davis that are featured in clips include "Go Ahead John," from the 1974 album "Big Fun"; "The Blues," an unreleased recording of a 1988 performance; "Green Dolphin Street," from the 1960 album "Stockholm"; "Mr. Pastorious," from the 1989 album "Amandla"; "White," from the 1985 album "Aura"; "'Round Midnight," from the 1956 album "'Round Midnight"; and "Milestones," from the 1948 album "Savoy Recordings, Vol. 2." Also included are portions of the following songs: "Trampin', Trampin'," by Dock Reed from the 1950 album "Negro Folk Music of Alabama: Religious"; "Airmail Special" and "Love Me or Leave Me," by Eckstine, from the 1945 album "Billy Eckstine: Together"; "One for Teddy" by Hot Lips Page and Joe Guy, from the 1941 Xanadu album "Trumpet Battle at Minton's"; "Slow Boat to China" by Charlie Parker, from the 1949 album "Bird at the Roost, Vol. 4"; "That's the Stuff You Gotta Watch" by Davis with Williams, from the 1945 album "First Miles"; and "Boppin' the Blues," by Earl Coleman with Davis, from the 1946 album "Boppin' the Blues." The program features comments about Davis and his revolutionary style by the following people: Troupe, Hamiett Bluiett, Joni Mitchell, Dave Holland, George Duke, Jeri Gray, George Butler, Lenny White, Olu Dara, Lewis Porter, Stanley Crouch, Eddie Randle, Art Blakey, Prophet Jennings, Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.), Jon Faddis, Dizzy Gillespie, Verdine White, Ishmael Reed, and Wayne Shorter. Continues with R:8344.
Details
- NETWORK: APR American Public Radio
- DATE: November 30, 1989
- RUNNING TIME: 0:58:55
- COLOR/B&W: N/A
- CATALOG ID: R:8343
- GENRE: Radio - Arts documentaries; Radio - Music
- SUBJECT HEADING: Jazz; Biography
- SERIES RUN: APR American Public Radio - Radio series, 1990
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Steve Rowland … Executive Producer, Producer, Writer
- Quincy Troupe … Co-Producer, Writer
- Jay Allison … Co-Producer, Writer
- Larry Abrams … Writer, Scriptwriter
- Danny Glover … Host
- Art Blakey
- Hamiett Bluiett
- George Butler
- John Conyers
- Stanley Crouch
- Olu Dara
- Miles Davis
- George Duke
- Billy Eckstine
- Jon Faddis
- Dizzy Gillespie
- Jeri Gray
- Joe Guy
- Dave Holland
- Prophet Jennings
- Joni Mitchell
- Hot Lips Page
- Charlie Parker
- Lewis Porter
- Eddie Randle
- Dock Reed
- Ishmael Reed
- Wayne Shorter
- Lenny White
- Verdine White
- Rubberlegs Williams