MILES DAVIS: BIRTH OF THE COOL

Director: Stanley Nelson

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Screenwriter: Stanley Nelson

Cast: Miles Davis, Flea, Juliette Gréco, Herbie Hancock, Lee Konitz, Carlos Santana, Wayne Shorter, Ron Carter, Jimmy Cobb, Frances Taylor Davis, Stanley Crouch, Marcus Miller, Gerald Early, Greg Tate. The writings and letters of Davis are narrated by Carl Lumbly.

 

Birth of the Cool is a mesmerizing piece of filmmaking by Peabody and Emmy Award winner Stanley Nelson (Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution). If you know the music but not the man, you will be swept away by a life reaching the heights and lowdown depths of a musical genius battling racism, addiction, the music industry, and a demonic jealousy towards the women he loved. If you know the myth but not the music, you’ll be blown away by Davis’ 50 years of creative evolution, from Be-Bop to ‘cool,’ to fusion and even setting the stage for hip hop.

“if you think you know everything there is to know about this American icon, you will walk out surprised.” – director Stanley Nelson. “Do not fear mistakes – there are none.” – Miles Davis.