Celebrating John Coltrane and Miles Davis: Jazz on Film Festival

Centennial Celebration:: The festival honors John Coltrane and Miles Davis, two of jazz's most influential figures, marking 100 years since their births.

Diverse Programming:: The series includes documentaries, foreign films, and rare footage, spanning various jazz subgenres and decades.

Miles Davis's 'Elevator to the Gallows':: The series features Louis Malle's 'Elevator to the Gallows' (&ref=yanuki.com), showcasing Davis's groundbreaking score and its influence on the French New Wave movement. A 1959 filmed recording of Davis performing with Coltrane and the Gil Evans Orchestra will precede the film.

Spotlighting Underrecognized Artists:: The festival highlights the contributions of often overlooked female jazz artists like Alice Coltrane (&ref=yanuki.com), Mary Lou Williams (&ref=yanuki.com), and Abbey Lincoln (&ref=yanuki.com).

Sun Ra's Cosmic Jazz:: The documentary 'Sun Ra: Do the Impossible' (&ref=yanuki.com) explores the life and music of the avant-garde jazz musician known for his unique blend of science fiction, mythology, and Afrofuturism.

Billy Strayhorn's Lush Life:: The series includes 'Billy Strayhorn: Lush Life' (&ref=yanuki.com), shedding light on the contributions of Duke Ellington's longtime collaborator, an openly gay man who remained largely in Ellington's shadow.

'Elevator to the Gallows': This film marks a pivotal moment in both cinema and jazz, with Miles Davis's improvised score perfectly complementing the film's noir atmosphere.

Short Documentaries: The inclusion of short films featuring Alice Coltrane, Max Roach, Abbey Lincoln, and Tony Williams offers intimate portraits of these artists and their contributions to jazz.

'Sun Ra: Do the Impossible': This documentary explores the fascinating world of Sun Ra, a visionary artist who pushed the boundaries of jazz and challenged conventional notions of identity and reality.

'Billy Strayhorn: Lush Life': This film seeks to rectify the historical underrepresentation of Billy Strayhorn, highlighting his crucial role in shaping the sound of the Duke Ellington Orchestra.

Attend the 'Jazz on Film' series at MFAH to learn more about the history and cultural impact of jazz music.

Explore the works of John Coltrane and Miles Davis, two of jazz's most influential figures.

Discover the contributions of underrecognized female jazz artists like Alice Coltrane, Mary Lou Williams, and Abbey Lincoln.

Delve into the unique world of Sun Ra and his avant-garde approach to jazz.

Appreciate the genius of Billy Strayhorn and his crucial role in shaping the sound of the Duke Ellington Orchestra.