Who could play the jazz greats?

[BlueMiles]

I was interested to hear about Forest Whitaker playing Satchmo. That would be one actor playing two jazz legends (the other, of course, being Bird).

Not too many jazz cats would get film treatment. Certainly Miles would be a good choice. I think Don Cheadle would make a good Miles, while my wife favors Terence Howard.

Who could play Monk? Trane? Ellington? Dizzy?

[A. Kingstone]

I can't think of anyone in particular but what a great challenge to an actor to capture Monk, his gestures, gait, piano style and speech.

[gonzo]

cheadle will be making a miles film soon!!??

[Pete C]

Crispin Glover as Bill Evans.

[Lois Gilbert]

I thought Diana Ross did an admirable job as Billie Holiday.

I told Sue Mingus that I thought with Morgan Freeman gaining some weight he could play Mingus

This new movie Cadillac Blues has Beyonce playing Etta James. It could work.
Want to see that film.

I'm thinking who could play Dinah Washington.

Has anyone seen Rome Neal's tribute to Monk. The Monk family gave their approval to Neal this past year.

hmmm who else

[Ron Thorne]

Originally Posted by Lois Gilbert

I told Sue Mingus that I thought with Morgan Freeman gaining some weight he could play Mingus

As much as I respect and admire Morgan Freeman, gaining some weight is not nearly enough for this enormous task. There are far too many different facial features, to my eyes.





See what I mean?

[Pete C]

Originally Posted by Lois Gilbert

I'm thinking who could play Dinah Washington.

Queen Latifah?

[CRF Mark II]

Gary Coleman as Wynton?

[Pete C]

Originally Posted by Ron Thorne

As much as I respect and admire Morgan Freeman, gaining some weight is not nearly enough for this enormous task. There are far too many different facial features, to my eyes.

Who needs a lookalike? Lois is right that Diana Ross did a respectable performance (in a mediocre film) about Billie Holiday, and looks nothing like her.

That said, I vote for Forrest Whitaker.

And let him play Bill Evans too.

[Gentle Giant]

I could see Forest Whitaker as Mingus.

BTW, before we get carried away, remember how unconvincing Denzel Washington and Wesley Snipes were as jazzers in Mo' Better Blues.

[Cem]

Originally Posted by A. Kingstone

I can't think of anyone in particular but what a great challenge to an actor to capture Monk, his gestures, gait, piano style and speech.

I'd love to see Giancarlo Esposito as Monk, even though he resembles Billy Bang more. I think he could pull it off.

[Milstead]

Cedric the Entertainer as Mingus the Bassist?
I think it could be done.

[Valerie]

Originally Posted by Milstead

Cedric the Entertainer as Mingus the Bassist?
I think it could be done.

for me, personally, that one i don't think could ever work. i still see him as a comedian and Mingus was anything but. don't think Cedric's acting chops are powerful or aged enough for that role.

[walto]

I think Whitaker should just go ahead and play everybody. He'd make an interesting Anita O'Day.

[Rob Damen]

Lawrence Fishburne as Anthony Braxton ...

Although nobody would make a dramatic film about him, though.

Cheers,

Rob

[Pete C]

I think a comedy about Braxton could be a big hit. I see Chris Rock more than Fishburne.

[Rob Damen]

IF it were a comedy.

Dramatically, Fisburne.

With the right glasses, he'd be just right, I think.

Cheers,

Rob

[Rob Damen]

Giancarlo Esposito as Cecil Taylor.

Cheers,

Rob

[Squaredancecalling Steve]

Originally Posted by walto

I think Whitaker should just go ahead and play everybody. He'd make an interesting Anita O'Day.

Opposite Miley Cyrus as Roy Eldridge for their controversial "Let Me Off Uptown" duet.

[Ron Thorne]

Originally Posted by Pete C

Who needs a lookalike? Lois is right that Diana Ross did a respectable performance (in a mediocre film) about Billie Holiday, and looks nothing like her.
.

I didn't say that a lookalike was required, Pete. I simply expressed an opinion ... and since it's a film where both looks and sounds are present, I commented on the visual aspect.

[Jesse]

"Lumpy" Rutherford is Steve Lacy (c. 1960) in Raise The Bandstand: The Steve Lacy Story.

[Ron Thorne]

Originally Posted by Jesse

"Lumpy" Rutherford is Steve Lacy (c. 1960) in Raise The Bandstand: The Steve Lacy Story.

Your Lumpy Rutherford reference made me think of SinginSumo immediately. He probably would have e-mailed me to alert me to your post, Jesse.

[Milstead]

Robert Downey Jr. as Sonny Rollins.

[hornplayer]

Originally Posted by Lois Gilbert

I thought Diana Ross did an admirable job as Billie Holiday.

That's interesting, because I found Ross totally unbelievable in that role. To me she neither looked nor sounded the part. I found her disconcerting, to be complementary.

[Rob Damen]

Originally Posted by Milstead

Robert Downey Jr. as Sonny Rollins.

Cool.

Cheers,

Rob

[shrugs]

James Singleton, bassist but not an actor(AFAIK)as Charlie Haden.

Maybe Johnny Vidacovich as Paul Motian?

[Lady Willpower]

Originally Posted by Gentle Giant

I could see Forest Whitaker as Mingus.

BTW, before we get carried away, remember how unconvincing Denzel Washington and Wesley Snipes were as jazzers in Mo' Better Blues.

That's very true.

I've seen a few Steve Zahn movies recently... Zahn as Gerry Milligan, maybe? I understand that IRL he's a guitarist, so maybe he could play the Martin Milner character in Sweet Smell of Success 2.

I know, that wouldn't be a biopic, and as far as I know it's not in development. Just an idea.

[steve(thelil)]

Jamie Foxx is very talented at capturing the look and sound of people. There must be some jazz heavyweight he could play. I wouldn't be surprised if he could even capture Monk.

[Valerie]

Originally Posted by steve(thelil)

Jamie Foxx is very talented at capturing the look and sound of people. There must be some jazz heavyweight he could play. I wouldn't be surprised if he could even capture Monk.

i sure would be!!

[Peterdubya]

Will Smith is Hancock.