Jazz revolves around the work and life of Miles Davis in this documentary by director Stanley Nelson. It is hard to pry it away from such a pivotal figure, and Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool knows it. He was, in many ways, the birth of that genre. He was not the beginning of it, but he was an inarguable pioneer. What Nelson, rightly or wrongly, reflects on in this documentary on the life, death and music of Davis, is that his innovations were at the centre of it. It is not until diving deeper into Davis’ discography, or this documentary, that audiences can see how layered and collaborative jazz was and still is.
Chronicling the influences on the master of a genre, from Charlie Parker to the upbringing he had in an emotionally charged family, Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool gets to the key pointers of what Davis mused on with his music. There is a sincere vulnerability that comes alive with the jazz intonations that score this documentary. It is the lack of movement that is so surprisingly emotive. Still images of Davis playing, loving, doing. They are scored well and it is thanks to the understanding presented from Nelson that this happens. His connection to Davis goes beyond that which audiences see on the screen. It is knowing which snippet of the interview to place where, which track to pick from such a varied and stunning back catalogue.
There is such a blur of personal and professional life that it is hard to know where one starts and one ends for Davis. Credit must be given, though, to Carl Lumbly, who brings to life details, journals and notes from Davis. His narration is perfect, it suits the mood well and the portrayal, a vocal-only piece from Lumbly, serves the fabric of Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool with essential clarity. Cool heads prevail in discussing the legacy and impact of the music Davis contributed. He founded a new style, a new movement of an established genre. Herbie Hancock makes a natural appearance to discuss the music, so closely entwined the two were in their creativity throughout the modal jazz subgenre. So great it is to hear from Hancock, and several other familiar faces throughout. Nelson has collected a fine bunch of commentators, musicians and writers. They hit the nail on the head every time.
A nice entry point to Davis’ music, Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool will be a nice fact-finding mission for those that want to brush up on their history. Intact moments of personal lives retold from those that were there to witness it unfold, as well as a keen discussion on the legacy and impact of his work. For someone completely blind to the person behind the music, this is the ideal documentary. Miles Davis, deconstructed. His personality, his use of drugs, his relationships and his career, all spiralling, vibrant and understood by one man and his collection of talking head interviews. Nelson uses the time he has extremely well, never relenting at any moment.
