Gil Evans was once described by Miles Davis as "the greatest musician in the world," yet he has remained one of the least known and most underrated innovators in jazz. Revered by generations of musicians, Evans created a unique sound, drawing from such diverse inspirations as Duke Ellington, Claude Debussy, Charlie Parker, Cecil Taylor, and Jimi Hendrix. Best known for his collaboration with Miles Davis on albums such as Birth of the Cool and Sketches of Spain, Gil Evans secured a crucial place in the history of modern jazz with his stunning orchestral arrangements. Now Evans's...

This Brother is Free is about an improbable friendship and the twists of fate, good and bad, that change people s lives. John Douglas is a successful but increasingly jaded magazine writer; Max Brandt is a wealthy and eccentric auto parts executive. What brings them together despite their many differences is Max s (and the family business s) rags-to-riches story. They agree, each with their own motives, noble and otherwise, to collaborate on what they envision as an inspiring epic, a made-in-America fairytale-come-true. They are met with resistance and setbacks from the outset - family...