The new feature length documentary Miles Davis: Birth Of The Cool that seeks to show the man behind the myth will make its global premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in 2019.

As one of the most influential figures in jazz in the past half-century, so little is known about the brilliant musician. Emmy Award-winner Stanley Nelson serves as director, and the film is a co-production of Eagle Rock Entertainment, Firelight Films and American Masters Pictures.

“By unpacking his upbringing, his methodology, his relationships, and his demons, we begin to understand the man who would redefine the original American musical genre, jazz and has influenced generations of musicians in rock, funk and hip-hop”, Nelson said in a statement.

With unprecedented access to the Miles Davis Estate, the film boasts never-before-seen footage including recording outtakes from studio sessions and new interviews with those Davis inspired including Quincy Jones, Carlos Santana, Clive Davis, Wayne Shorter and Ron Carter, to name a few.

“We are delighted to be selected in a year with such strong submissions,” says Eagle Rock Chairman Terry Shand. “We are proud to bring this film about the world’s most innovative & iconic jazz musician to Sundance Film Festival.”

The film follows the previous documentary released in 2001, The Miles Davis Story, which first aired on BBC Channel 4, but the latest film promises a definitive account of the jazz visionary.

While a global theatrical release is planned for the summer of 2019, the documentary will also be aired on American Masters on PBS in the US and BBC2 in the UK.

Nelson has amassed various prestigious credits for his previous documentary works including the Emmy-winning films The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution and Freedom Riders, and the more recent film Tell Them We Are Rising: The Story of Black Colleges and Universities.

Explore our Miles Davis Artist Page.