Indie filmmaker Len Rosen elucidates ‘Gravity 180’ smooth jazz documentary

Determined Canadian director Len Rosen documents his passion for Gravity 180, a Los Angeles-based trio deftly combining smooth jazz, melodic pop, and classic soul incidentally produced by guitar slinger Nils and Eddie Brown of ’60s gospel folk duo Joe and Eddie. The “Gravity 180” indie documentary also boasts a cameo from NCIS star Pauley Perrette. Seen above is the vibrant African-inspired album cover for “Gravity 180’s” self-titled debut, unleashed on June 10, 2009. Consisting of vocalist-keyboardist Clydene Jackson, founding KC & the Sunshine Band member Oliver C. Brown, and acoustic guitarist-singer Harold Payne, the group issued two earlier albums under the abbreviated band name “Gravity” in 1989 and 1997, respectively. Image Credit: Affinity Records

When Canadian director Len Rosen was searching for his next project, he probably had no idea a childhood infatuation with ’60s gospel folk duo Joe and Eddie held the key. Although Joe Gilbert tragically passed away in a car accident in 1966, musical partner Eddie Brown is alive and very active as a songwriter and record producer in Los Angeles.

After Rosen’s father asked him whatever happened to the duo, the filmmaker located Brown and listened to his latest production work with musical trio Gravity 180.

Comprised of pianist-singer-songwriter Clydene Jackson, guitarist-singer-songwriter Harold Payne, and percussionist Oliver C. Brown, each member has an astonishing musical pedigree. Smooth jazz guitarist Nils also contributes lead guitar schedule permitting.

Duly impressed, Rosen decided to film a 60-minute documentary comprised of original interviews, vintage performances, and music videos — “Moonlight on the Water” and “California Blues” — centering on Gravity 180’s self-titled album “without a corporate fingerprint on it.” Pauley Perrette, star of CBS’s hit police drama NCIS, extolls the virtues of Gravity 180 in a brief cameo.

Each member is given a segment focusing on their unique accomplishments. Jackson unleashes a chilling version of…