Share

Miles Davis local doccie launch a cool family affair

accreditation
The iconic Bitches Brew became Davis’ first gold record and gained recognition as one of jazz’s greatest albums
The iconic Bitches Brew became Davis’ first gold record and gained recognition as one of jazz’s greatest albums

Vincent Wilburn Jr answered the phone at 9am Los Angeles time, having just rushed the kids off to school early to make our telephonic interview.

The nephew of jazz legend Miles Davis is coming to South Africa with Davis’ youngest son, Erin, to launch the documentary Miles Davis: Birth of Cool at the Encounters film festival in Cape Town and Johannesburg next month.

Erin Davis, left, and Vincent Wilburn Jr are launching the Miles Davis documentary in Cape Town next month

The pioneering jazz trumpeter died in 1991 after a career that produced more than 50 albums, including the iconic Birth of Cool and Bitches Brew.

“He was my mother’s younger brother. I grew up in Chicago and spending time with him would always involve him giving us tickets to his shows. He introduced me to music,” Wilburn said. “I called him the Miles Davis University because I would learn so much from him about so many things. I was like a sponge around him. I produced for him and played with him.”

Wilburn, who lived with Davis for a while, says he was always the last person to go to sleep and the first to wake up. “We’re talking about a man who changed clothes four or five times a day. He was a master chef, he loved painting and horse riding, as well as swimming. Anything he set his mind to he did at a high level.”

Wilburn is a member of a band made up of Miles Davis alumni – musicians who played with him. “It’s not just a tribute band but also out to interpret his work, in particular his electric era, done our way, you know.”

The documentary navigates the life and times of Miles Davis, starting with his abusive childhood. “My mom doesn’t ever talk about that. I think a lot of that came out in Uncle Miles’ trumpet,” said Wilburn.

Erin remembered his father as a “different kind of dad”.

“He liked to paint, cook and tend to his horses. He would buy us paint and we’d just do that for the whole day together. He wasn’t really like, grab a ball and shoot hoops with you, but he always showed an interest in our music,” he said.

Erin recalled how their home in Malibu, California, was filled with all kinds of musical instruments and equipment. There also was a punching bag because Davis was a boxing fan.

“When he was young he had this passion and desire to keep changing his style. He was willing to change as music changed,” he said.

When his father showed an interest in music as a child, his parents disagreed about which instrument he should play, and his father insisted on the trumpet.

Music is continuing through the Davis family generations. Erin’s older daughter plays the clarinet, and his six-year-old daughter has shown an interest in DJ-ing.

Miles Davis, the subject of a new documentary, would most likely have had a lot to say about the Black Lives Matter movement and police brutality after his own experience in 1959

“My father tried to push his art, keep himself satisfied.

“Music changed and he wanted to change with it, not just copy but keep pushing the envelope,” he said.

Davis was notoriously assaulted by a police officer outside the famous Birdland jazz club in New York in 1959, at a time the city was believed to be a progressive one.

Asked what he would have thought about the treatment African-Americans receive from US police, Erin said: “He would probably say nothing has changed, and he would be right. Now there is just more coverage of it because everyone has a cellphone. It is tough. I myself try keep things cool whenever I get pulled over.”

Wilburn said one of the most valuable lessons he learnt from the Miles Davis University was to “be serious about your instrument, put the time in”.

“You can’t fake it because we’ll hear it. A lot of these great artists go through sacrifices for their art. Uncle Miles did it.”

Wilburn added that he hoped to sit down with representatives of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival in the hopes of performing there, and to engage with young local artists.

. Keep an eye on #Trending next week for a review of Miles Davis: Birth of Cool


We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Do you believe that the various planned marches against load shedding will prompt government to bring solutions and resolve the power crisis?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes
21% - 103 votes
No
79% - 394 votes
Vote