Synopsis
The video presents Miles Davis in a series of stylized, loosely connected vignettes rather than a conventional narrative. Davis appears at home, painting and drawing, then shifts into performance-oriented images that reflect the music's changing moods. The editing moves through excerpts from "Splatch," "Tutu," "Tomaas," and "Portia," matching each section with a distinct visual atmosphere. The result is an impressionistic portrait of Davis as both musician and visual artist, emphasizing attitude, texture, color, and rhythmic montage over plot.
Factoids & Trivia
- The clip is structured as a medley of four songs from the 1986 album *Tutu*: "Splatch," "Tutu," "Tomaas," and "Portia."
- Davis is shown painting and drawing, reflecting his serious interest in visual art during the 1980s. He had taken up painting partly as a form of therapy after suffering a stroke.
- The title track was written and arranged by Marcus Miller, who also created most of the electronic backing through bass, synthesizers, drum programming, and other instruments.
- The album *Tutu* was named in honor of Desmond Tutu, the South African archbishop and anti-apartheid activist.
- The video helped present Davis as a contemporary multimedia figure rather than only as a traditional jazz trumpeter, fitting the album's use of drum machines, programmed parts, synthesizers, and studio-built arrangements.
- "Tutu" became one of Davis' most visible 1980s projects and contributed to his return to a broad popular audience. The album won the 1987 Grammy Award for Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Soloist.