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Miles Davis: The Late Show - A So Watt Special (PG)

Jazz on Screen

,Cinema 3
A close up photograph of jazz legend, Miles Davis.

Our annual event at EFG London Jazz Festival unearths rarities from the television archives. The centrepiece of this year's programme is a celebration of Miles Davis' career.

The Late Show (1989-95) was BBC-2's late-night magazine show, covering new trends in visual art, film, theatre, books and media. Screening four nights per week and across almost one thousand editions, it featured a host of live studio sessions from a range of visiting musicians. As this year’s So Watt demonstrates, its jazz coverage was extensive. Clips today feature Art Blakey, Cecil Taylor, David Murray, Stan Tracey and Paul Motian.

Our main feature at Jazz on Screen this year is the forty-minute Late Show Special compiled and aired within days of the death of Miles Davis in 1991. It features exclusive new interviews with Herbie Hancock, Quincy Jones and Max Roach, and readings from Miles' autobiography performed by Clarke Peters.

Dive into this slice of TV history celebrating the work and legacy of the legend Miles Davis.

Tagged with: Cinema EFG London Jazz Festival 2026 Jazz on Screen 2026

All screening materials are provided courtesy of the BFI. The event is curated and presented by Ian Greaves. We would like to thank former Late Show series editor Roly Keating and producer Mark Cooper for their assistance.

Jazz on Screen is part of EFG London Jazz Festival.

Film information
  • Runtime   1 hr 50 min (approx.)

Ticket prices

Standard
£15.50 (£14 + £1.50 transaction fee)
* Excludes £1.50 booking fee

Booking fees

£1.50 booking fee per online/phone transaction.

No fee when tickets are booked in person.

Booking fees are per transaction and not per ticket. If your booking contains several events the highest booking fee will apply. The booking fee may be reduced on certain events. Members do not pay booking fees.

Archive Selection

The archive of The Late Show is particularly strong for jazz coverage. With performances from Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, Cecil Taylor & William Parker, the David Murray Jazz Quartet, Cleveland Watkiss, John Surman, Stan Tracey's Big Band, Keith Tippett's Mujician, and the trio of Geri Allen with Charlie Haden and Paul Motian.

Cinema 3

Location
Barbican Cinema 1 is located within the main Barbican building on Level -2. Head to Level G and walk towards the Lakeside Terrace where you’ll find stairs and lifts to take you down to the venue floor.   

Address
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS

Public transport
The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.