I Called Him Morgan

I Called Him Morgan is a gripping 2016 documentary film directed by Kasper Collin. The film presents an intricate narrative that's as captivating and complex as the lives it explores, those of famed jazz musician Lee Morgan and his common-law wife Helen Morgan, who shot him dead one chilly February night in 1972.

The film is a spectacular blend of pure, engaging storytelling and compelling music, skillfully blending interviews, performances, and atmospheric visuals to create a vivid picture of an era and the lives of its key figures. It's a testament to Collin's skill as a filmmaker that he weaves such a complex tapestry out of the life and times of Lee Morgan, who counted among the most influential jazz musicians of his generation.

Lee Morgan was a prodigiously talented trumpeter, a star of hard bop and jazz in the 1960s. His life was a series of towering peaks and deep valleys, marked by fame, addiction, recovery, and ultimately, tragedy. Helen Morgan, his common-law wife, was a complex woman who lived through great adversity, aided Lee in his journey to recovery, and was later convicted of his killing.

I Called Him Morgan is an exploration of the lives of these two people, showcasing their shared love for music, their tumultuous relationship, and the times they lived in. The narrative unfolds through a variety of methods including interviews, archive footage and still photos, radio broadcasts, and music tracks. Impeccably researched and compiled, the film is a rich documentation of the New York jazz scene during the 60s and leads up to the fateful night at Slug's Saloon, the tragic shooting scene in the East Village, that concluded with the abrupt end of Lee's life.

One of the figures prominently highlighted in the film is Wayne Shorter, a renowned saxophonist and bandmate from the legendary Jazz Messengers, who shares insightful anecdotes about Lee and provides key commentary about the jazz era. There are also poignant narrations from Helen and numerous other jazz artists, historians, and personalities who knew the couple well.

What sets I Called Him Morgan apart from many other biographical documentaries is its strong attempt at balanced storytelling. The film makes an intense effort to understand Helen, her trials, tribulations, and the circumstances that led to that tragic moment. Collin achieves this by incorporating a rediscovered interview with Helen made just a month before her death in 1996. Helen reveals startling intimate details of her life, their relationship, and the events leading to the shooting.

Jazz enthusiasts will definitely appreciate the attention to the cultural and historical context of the era, and the deep exploration into Lee Morgan's music. The film is laced with samples of Lee’s stirring trumpeting and distinct compositions, many of which stand as significant works in the realm of jazz. This not only conjures a deep sense of nostalgia for those familiar with that time but also serves as an excellent introduction for newcomers to the sound and energy of classic jazz.

I Called Him Morgan examines the art, the man behind the art, and the woman tied to the man and the art. It creates a portrait of both intense beauty and unconcealed darkness, symbolizing the jazz era in the 60s and the personal struggles of its characters. It presents the tragedy not as a simple crime of passion, but as a product of a complex and stormy set of relationships, both personal and societal.

Overall, I Called Him Morgan is moving and deeply poignant. It is more than a biography, it’s a love story and a suspense story that naturally unravels, going beyond the surface to delve into the lives of two fascinating characters who loved music and each other. Kasper Collin’s film beautifully captures the depths of human frailty and the heights of musical genius in a potent, heart-rending mix.

Despite its historical and biographical context, I Called Him Morgan transcends its genre to become an intricate study of personality, relationship, and society, all united under the enfolding, immersive world of jazz. With its amalgamation of breathtaking music and riveting storytelling, I Called Him Morgan stands as a fascinating testament to an exciting and challenging era in American music history.