'Round Miles : A Miles Davis Documentary

Six Jazz legends gather at the Catalina Jazz club to discuss the style and personality of Miles Davis. We filmed this as research for the 2015 film, Miles Ahead, but the conversation turned out to be so compelling, we decided to release it as a standalone documentary. In many ways, Miles Davis and his contribution to music are a reflection of the pendulum that was mid-20th century America. By definition, a pendulum is a weight suspended from a pivot so that it can swing freely- or more appropriately, a metronome. Prejudice, persecution, drug abuse, and relevancy weighed heavily on the black Jazz musician at the turn of the century. Miles Davis’ response…smash the metronome. In other words, find your own rhythm and do not seek freedom. Take it. Thirteen years after shooting this, we are pleased to present a fascinating glimpse into America’s one true art form - Jazz. While the conversation centers around Miles Davis, you get a rare insight into the genre through the eyes of six of its greatest practitioners.

Featuring:
Marcus Miller
Freddie Hubbard
Jimmy Heath
Ron Carter
Roy Haynes
James Moody

Director
Christopher Wilkiinson

Producers
Kerry David
Bob Belden

Director of Photography
Steven Poster, ASC

Editor
Jake Feldman

Executive Producers
Erin Davis
Daryl Porter
Vince Wilburn

[leogje]

I just love listening to these brothers, a great jazz documentary I just listen over and over and over again

[bluesandroots]

You know there’s something about this interview that makes your heart warm, just listening to people who really love music.

[williemakeit]

This is an incredible conversation. I had the pleasure of meeting 3 of the legends at this table: Ron Carter in 2002, Freddie Hubbard in 2007 and 2008, and Jimmy Heath in 2010.
Each of them are worthy of their own documentary.

[kentontroy]

This is amazing. Thank you! I had the pleasure of having a 1-on-1 conversation with McCoy Tyner long ago at the bar at Blues Alley. His candor and humility reminds me of these Jazz Greats. The experiences we have with music, musician or not, are timeless.

[beaujac]

This was great. I will watch it again. I looked up when Freddie Hubbard to see if he was still around and I saw that he died at 70. That was before he mentioned in this video that he was grateful to make it to 70 because trumpeters usually did not. That really stood out to me.

[VoodooDewey]

Miles, Freddie, lee, Woody and Satchmo were my greatest inspirations as a young trumpet player.

[stevemartin]

I thought I had just about all the biographies and documentaries about Miles until I saw this one. Really well done. The conversation was like a jazz performance, each speaker graciously giving time to each other to 'play their verse'. I liked how Ron Carter revealed a darker side to the complexity of Miles's personality near the end. No sugar coating, and raises profound questions about the nature of art and its relationship to the artist.

[bilhas]

In college 1971 or 72, bitches brew had come out I bought the album and was playing it loud in the dorm in my room. I could hear everything up close, but other students would approach me and would ask me, who was practicing playing their trumpet in the dorm. They didn't know it was a record because all they heard was the trumpet. That's when I understood the genius of the album. Miles had a vision that eclipsed a lot of listeners who thought that they had a profound understanding of the music. Ornette Coleman had that type of vision early on before standard musicians found their footing, including Miles and trane. I used to practice using ornette Coleman's music because he fit my aspirations even more than Trane. In total Miles was the trend setter. The most profound musicians never craved exposure. These musicians were the ones who Trane and others sought out to learn from. These guys couldn't stomach the average musician. Mccoy tyner was going to sever his relationship with Trane, because the music was not discernable enough for him.

[DanFreeman]

The difference between Miles & everybody else is that you can put on Miles when in the company of a woman & they'll get it. No matter the race or music tastes. Even if they aren't into jazz. I discovered this in my 20s & have tested it repeatedly over the years. His playing has a romantic tone to it...The Ladies can really hear him.

[SH-pqzq]

This is a great documentary about an incredible musical pioneer.
Also, listening to Marcus Miller tell stories is invaluable! Marcus is one of the last guys who can connect the past jazz scene to the current jazz scene...

[Alden]

I LOVE the part when Ron is trying to tell Freddie about the rhythm section playing chords that ALLOW for Miles to get as outside as he did…just seeing all these guys interact is the funniest thing ever (shout-out the rhythm section)

[stephdrake]

Very good documentary/ the feeling of knowing Miles through his close musicians friends is everything. The stories will live in my heart and mind forever. I also looked up Clifford Brown and yes he died at 25 in a car accident driving to Chicago … where his friend’s wife was driving in bad weather and lost control of the car hitting another car. All three died in the accident. Clifford didn’t do drugs or drink alcohol. Just imagine what kind of musician he could have really been. He left 4 albums behind . I could watch this over and over again .

[JamesHurt]

Bob Belden loved the music in ways many failed to understand. I hung with him at his place and loved ‘vines’ (shirts in particular). He would try to gift me yet there was a size difference. I saw the first version of what would become the oculus goggles worn today at his place! Way ahead of the curve was this dude. Belden played some vaulted Herbie that still has yet to be unearthed. The avalanche of acquisitions and Napster made it so none of my music saw the digital marketplace until a few years ago. When you go through about three A&R guys in about two years you can overstand the words coming from me. You have to read the book when it comes out. The Golden Era of Jazz was the bridge we all wanted to cross…want to extend that bridge before I transition. Fame has nothing to do with it. Beautiful to hear from every musician from every era that Miles stroked with his paint brush of mixed colors. Very important document. Thank you Vince for the vision. 🎵🎶

[AntilopeDisecado]

I wish we hear more talking from Roy Haynes and James Moody, both underrated and important musicians, but still, this is an amazing work! Congrats!

[Bassic]

This is Great insights from the legends who were on the front lines of the history of Miles Davis!!! The comment about critics is soooo on point!!!

[andrewcharley]

Ron Carter was very honest about Miles as a person, more honest than most.

[hughphillips]

Miles and Prince both Gemini, both kept moving and changing. Both genius.

[MrGuitar]

What an amazing discussion from all these brilliant musicians. I never twigged to the fact that So What is all the white keys on the piano for the first and last 8 bars, and all the black keys in the middle...such a simple concept, so flexible harmonically...genius! Wonderful video!

[rhythmfield]

I am a jazz drummer. I consider all of these men musical uncles or fathers, or… Just important figures in my life, every single one of them. It’s just such a joy, it’s so warm here than being SO candid and open about the great (and sometimes complicated) Miles Dewey Davis.
Much gratitude to all of them, and to the makers and producers of this beautiful documentary.
Is there anyway that someday, and extended DVD could become available? With all of the cut out material, sort of an outtake reel? Even though there is obviously very judicious editing behind this, there’s just so much gold that ended up on the cutting room floor invariably, so just wondering! Thank you.

[aaronTNGDS]

God, I love the conversation these music giants are having. Freedie Hubbard had such a melodious voice---and he cracked me up with that description about how women would react to listening to Miles play.