There are a couple of films set to come out in 2015 sometime that will tell the tale of two different jazz trumpeters: Miles Davis and Chet Baker. Don Cheadle will direct and star in Miles Ahead. With his strong acting experience and striking resemblance to Miles, Mr. Cheadle seems like a great fit for the role and I’m excited to see how it turns out. He must have a passion for the man and his music to invest his time and energy into such a project.
Canadian director Robert Budreau must also have a passion for the life and music of Chet Baker. He follows up his 2009 Chet Baker documentary The Deaths of Chet Baker with a feature length film about the trumpeter called Born to be Blue starring Ethan Hawke as Chet Baker. The synopsis of the film on IMDB indicates that the trumpeter will star “in a movie about his own troubled life to mount a comeback”. I’m unaware of any films Chet starred in, so perhaps there is a film of which I’m unaware or maybe Mr. Budreau is taking some liberties with his story. Either way, it will be interesting to see how it turns out.
With both films I’ll be curious to see what musicians are involved. For Born to be Blue, the Canadian pianist-composer, David Braid is listed in the credits. For Miles Ahead, Miles collaborator and pianist-composer, Herbie Hancock is involved. Herbie Hancock is a perfect choice to represent Miles, having been a “key” member in his quintet in the 60s.
Miles Ahead on indiegogo.
Born to be Blue on IMDB
trumpetjazz.com 