MILES DAVIS STORY, THE (TV)
Summary
Ten years after the death of jazz legend Miles Davis, producer Mike Dibb and biographer Ian Carr explore his influence and mystery through voice-over narration, archival interviews with the trumpeter, and the memories of Davis's family and friends. Also included are old photographs of Davis, his family, band rehearsals, and performances, plus film footage of performances. The narrator begins with a description of Davis's early days in East St. Louis, Illinois. Early mentor Clark Terry talks about the music scene in town. Irene Canton, Davis's first love, tells the story of their courtship, their three children, and the life she had with Davis. Their oldest child, Cheryl, shares some thoughts about her father, after which, in a film clip, Davis himself describes his earliest musical aspirations and the beginnings of his professional career. Carr recounts the story of Davis's first encounter with jazz great Dizzy Gillespie. The narrator describes major events in Davis's life, following him through his enrollment in the Juilliard School of Music in 1944 and his eventual dropping out after becoming heavily involved in the New York City jazz scene and the musical revolution of Bebop. He traveled to Europe in 1949, viewers learn, and upon returning home fell into a heroin addiction that continued for several years. During this time, he formed a studio band and found his own musical voice. Prestige Records executive Bob Weinstock remembers the release of the trumpeter's first record. In interviews, Davis recalls his feelings while kicking his drug habit, after which the narration follows the musician's move to Columbia Records and his growth as a commercially appealing, unique personality. Arranger Gil Evans, who worked extensively with Davis beginning in the mid-1950s, describes Davis's style, noting, "He changed the tone of the trumpet for the first time since Louis Armstrong." Davis's first film soundtrack, for director Louis Malle's film "Lift to the Scaffold," is described. Malle talks about Davis's style, and the jazz legend's first wife, Frances, describes their life together.
There is a description of Davis's selection as musician of the year in 1959 and the release of the album "Kind of Blue." Carr describes the album, and drummer Jimmy Cobb and Davis's first wife Frances talk about Davis's ever raging battle with racism despite his fame. Columbia Records producer George Avakian and Carr describe Davis's work with producer Teo Macero and the "Sketches of Spain" recording, released in 1960. Davis's daughter Cheryl recalls the music to which her father listened at home. She also touches on her father's misogynistic attitudes, and the narrator describes the less than ideal relationship between the jazz legend and the two sons he sired with Irene Canton. Davis's work with legendary saxophonist John Coltrane is described by Cobb and Carr. The narrator then describes Davis's formation of a new band in the early 1960s. Bass player Ron Carter and pianist Herbie Hancock talk about being selected for the band and recall their work with Davis. The narrator and Carr then describe Davis's worsening physical condition at this time, and Frances Davis talks about the disintegration of her marriage. In the late 1960s, Davis assembled another band of young talent, viewers learn, including bass player Dave Holland, drummer Jack DeJohnette, and pianists Chick Corea and Joe Zawinul; these musicians discuss the music they made with the trumpeter. Guitarist John McLaughlin then describes Davis's admiration for Jimmy Hendrix and the new jazz-rock fusion style with which Davis was experimenting. Percussionist Don Alias and keyboard player Keith Jarrett talk about this new sound, and the album that came out of it, "Bitches Brew." The narration goes on to explain that in 1970 the trumpeter recorded a soundtrack for a documentary on boxer Jack Johnson, whom the musician had long admired as an example of African-American freedom. Davis's divorce from Frances Davis, a second failed marriage, several affairs, and the birth of Davis's fourth child, Erin, are described briefly. In the mid 1970s, Davis withdrew from public life for five "silent years," the program explains, suffering from creative burnout and numerous physical maladies. The narrator talks about Davis's subsequent marriage to actress Cicely Tyson, which helped put him back on his feet. Saxophone player Bill Evans and bass player Marcus Miller describe their work with Davis at this time. The narration continues with a chronicle of major events of Davis's later life: he had a stroke, took up drawing and painting, and collaborated musically with nephew Vincent Wilburn. He began fusing his music with the hip-hop style shortly before his death in 1991. Davis's fourth child, Erin, discusses his relationship with his father. Davis is seen being awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award in 1990, and the final moments of the program include comments from Canton about Davis's will.
Cataloging of this program was made possible by Blake Byrne.
Details
- NETWORK: Channel 4 (United Kingdom)
- DATE: February 14, 2001
- RUNNING TIME: 2:05:45
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:67975
- GENRE: Arts documentaries
- SUBJECT HEADING: International Collection - United Kingdom; Jazz; Musicians; Trumpet players
- SERIES RUN: Channel 4 (United Kingdom) - TV, 2001
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Mike Dibb … Producer, Director
- Heather Goodman … Associate Producer
- Don Alias
- Louis Armstrong
- George Avakian
- Irene Canton
- Ian Carr
- Ron Carter
- Jimmy Cobb
- John Coltrane
- Chick Corea
- Cheryl Davis
- Erin Davis
- Frances Davis
- Miles Davis
- Jack DeJohnette
- Bill Evans
- Gil Evans
- Dizzy Gillespie
- Herbie Hancock
- Jimi Hendrix
- Dave Holland
- Keith Jarrett
- Jack Johnson
- Teo Macero
- Louis Malle
- John McLaughlin
- Marcus Miller
- Clark Terry
- Cicely Tyson
- Bob Weinstock
- Vincent Wilburn
- Joe Zawinul