The world premiere of the music documentary, “String Theory: The Richard Davis Method,” will take place at the 26th annual Wisconsin Film Festival on Sunday, April 7, at 4:45 p.m. at Music Hall on the University of Wisconsin campus.
“String Theory: The Richard Davis Method” is a 60-minute documentary produced by StoryFirst Media exploring the legacy of bass legend Richard Davis that captures his transformative impact at the Richard Davis Bass Conference and his journey from performer to revered educator.
Davis, the internationally renowned jazz bassist who taught at the University of Wisconsin for more than 40 years, passed away in September of 2023 at the age of 93.
Davis moved to New York City after college where he spent 23 years establishing himself as one of the world’s premier bass players. In 1977, Davis became a professor at the University of Wisconsin, where his innovative methods in teaching bass, Black music history and jazz performance produced hundreds of noteworthy students.
The film was directed by StoryFirst Media co-founder and filmmaker Michael Neelsen “String Theory: The Richard Davis Method,” which has been in production since 2018, offers “an intimate look into Davis’ teaching philosophy, his passion for music, and his deep commitment to nurturing the next generation of talent.”
“The documentary explores the enduring legacy of Richard Davis, a virtuoso bass player whose career spanned collaborations with musical giants such as Miles Davis, Van Morrison, and Eric Dolphy,” Neelsen said in a press release announcing the film screening. “Beyond his performance career, Davis dedicated himself to music education, profoundly impacting the lives of young musicians as a beloved professor at the University of Wisconsin.”
The film was produced by Neelsen and Richard Davis Foundation executives Catherine Harris and Peter Dominguez. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased through the Wisconsin Film Festival website.
