For someone who's not really a jazz fan, I found this documentary illuminating on one of the seminal influences in that genre of music. It takes a cradle to grave approach on the life and career of Miles Davis, and is a good introductory look at a musician you may have heard of but don't know much about. To say that Davis was a complex man would be a major understatement, as the genius and creativity he had was marred by bouts of alcoholism, drug use and violence that often afflicts those of high achievement. A host of musical celebrities who knew and/or performed with Davis are seen on screen reflecting on his career, among them Quincy Jones, Carlos Santana and Herbie Hancock. Son Erin Davis also had a few things to say about his Dad, mostly complimentary in memory of the musician who consistently reinvented himself with the times. The picture is narrated by actor Carl Lumbly reading from Davis's own words, while photos and clips of Davis serve to illustrate the various chapters of his life in perfect harmony with what we see on screen. Sometimes it even looks like Davis himself is reacting to the narration of his life by virtue of still shots selected to frame the narrative. In tone and presentation, this effort is much like the 2016 film "Chasing Trane: The John Coltrane Documentary", and for jazz fans, both are well researched and informative on their respective personalities.
Review of Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool
