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jeffrey van Davis

About Me

My Jazz Story

I first heard jazz from my uncle Bob, a very good sax player, who played with all the greats in and around Chicago. That was an important time in the history of jazz in the 50's and early 60's in Chicago. I saw Anita O'day at Mr. Kelly's, Oscar Peterson trio, Ahmad Jamal at the Pershing. The Greendoor, the London House, Green Dolphis Street were important venues. The first jazz record I bought was battle of the drums featuring Gene Krupa and Louis Belsen when I was in grade school. I started taking drum lessons in grade school and played in different groups while in college to earn some money. When I left highschool, I thought about further study in percussion, but pursued Political Science, Philosophy and film studies instead. I am a mediocre drummer now compared to the professionals, but I love to play with a bunch of old farts -- doctor, lawyer, architect, school teacher, college professor - who love jazz and love blowing. Two of several highlights in my jazz life happened when I was stationed at the Army Language School in Monterey, California. I regularly went to the Colony Bar on Alvarez Street in downtown Monterey. They had jam sessions and while I was on the drums playing Lee Konitz came in the bar with his sax and jammed with us. What a thrill! The second highlight: I was at the Blackhawk in San Francisco (1963) when Miles Davis was playing there. I was not yet 21 and had to sit in an area to the side of the stage for those under 21 (that was a program the Blackhawk had to help promote jazz among youth). Miles, as is well known, would turn his back to the audience and with sunglasses even in a dark club would groove on his improvisations communicating with the other band members and with his own muse. I sat about eight feet from where he was on the stage and when he turned away from the audience to play his solo, it seemed like he was playing directly to me. I am 70 years old and I will never forget that experience. Since 1975, I have been active as an independent documentary filmmaker. In 1976 I produced and directed a film in Munich, Germany entitled JAZZ EXPATRIATES about American jazz musicians who were living in Europe making a living playing jazz. The film featured, Benny Bailey, Bobby Jones, Frank St. Peter, Al Porcino, Sal Nistico, George Morrison, Erica Lindsay (a very young Erica) and her good friend Chessie Tanksly, Charly Antolini, among others. I am presently editing a jazz film in Germany about Jazz on the Bodensee (Lake Constanz) which borders Austria, Germany, Lichtenstein, Switzerland and is about an hours drive to Italy and France. There is a lively jazz scene here that I believe I have captured on film. I am now starting a new documentary about my good friend Hubert Bergmann, a wonderful pianist, composer, filmmaker and peace activist. We are planning a tour in the U.S. in May 2013. www.jeffrey-van-davis.com