A Master of Fine Arts thesis film project (New York  University Graduate Institute of Motion Picture and Television Production, 1975), "The Edification of Weldon Irvine" is a 60- minute 16mm documentary film profile of the jazz musician and playwright. Produced, written, directed and edited by Jazz Phil member, Collis Davis, the documentary takes the audience through a journey in the life of Weldon Irvine from the late-1970s back to his childhood days in the State of Virginia. The Edification of Weldon Irvine portrays the struggle of a young African-American to attain some measure of peace of mind amidst a troubled family background, a turbulent adolescence, and a mercurial professional career with RCA Records. A childhood  playmate of the filmmaker, Weldon talks about growing up in Hampton, Virginia, his fascination with weapons, his mentors such as songstress, Nina Simone, for whom he served as musical director, personal discipline as an artist and as a professional gambler, and his quest for inner enlightenment. Throughout the documentary, Weldon is seen in performance at New York's well-known jazz  club, The Village Gate, a studio solo piano performance, and a rousing song and dance number from his musical, "To Be Young, Gifted and Broke". Additionally, there is a audio performance of the Hampton University choir singing Weldon's  arrangement of the Negro Spiritual, " I Feel Like a Motherless Child" edited to a montage of a Charles White mural, "Democracy in America", and historical still photographs taken at the University. Collis Davis can be reached at 0918-913-1737 or via e-mail at chdavisjr@pldtdsl.net His website is www.okara.com