Abramorama is handling North American theatrical distribution of John Scheinfeld’s documentary “Chasing Trane: The John Coltrane Documentary.” The film played to critical and audience acclaim in the fall of 2016 at its world premiere at the Telluride Film Festival and also at the Toronto International Film Festival, IDFA and DOC NYC. It opens in USA theaters starting this Friday, April 14.
Set against the social, political and cultural landscape of the times, “Chasing Trane” brings John Coltrane to life as a fully dimensional being, inviting the audience to engage with Coltrane the man, Coltrane the artist. Featuring interviews with Wynton Marsalis, Sonny Rollins, Dr. Cornel West, President Bill Clinton and Common, among others, Coltrane’s own words are spoken by Denzel Washington. The film is produced by Spencer Proffer, John Beug, Scott Pascucci and Dave Harding. “Chasing Trane” will be released theatrically beginning in New York April 14, 2017 with Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago and additional cities to follow.
Written and directed by critically acclaimed documentary filmmaker John Scheinfeld (“The U.S. vs. John Lennon” and “Who Is Harry Nilsson…?”), “Chasing Trane” is the definitive documentary film about an outside-the-box thinker with extraordinary talent whose boundary-shattering music continues to impact and influence people around the world. The smart, passionate, thought-provoking and uplifting documentary is for anyone who appreciates the power of music to entertain, inspire and transform.
The film is produced with the full participation of the Coltrane family and the support of the record labels that collectively own the Coltrane catalog.
Although Coltrane did not do any television interviews during his lifetime…and only a handful of radio interview, he will have an active and vibrant presence in the film beyond remarkable performance clips through thoughts he expressed during print interviews. His words are spoken by Academy Award winner Denzel Washington.
“In many of his roles Denzel radiates an exceptional quiet strength.” said the film’s director-writer John Scheinfeld in a previous statement. “Coltrane, many of his friends told me, embodied a similar strength. That’s why Denzel was my first choice to speak his words and I’m thrilled he made the time to participate in our film.”
The producers of the film stated, “We entered into this project with great respect for John Coltrane and his music. Our deep appreciation for both only increased during the production of the film, as we witnessed the profound impact that his music still has on so many people — a breadth of audience that defies any simple categorization.”
Richard Abramowitz added, “I’ve been a fan of John Scheinfeld’s work for years, particularly his Harry Nillson film, and the opportunity to work with him on this exceptional piece about a man of unequaled gifts is, indeed, a privilege.”
Its April 14 theatrical debut just a couple of days away, Abramorama has premiered a clip from the documentary which you can watch below, followed by the previously-relased trailer. And below the trailer, you’ll find the film’s screening schedule through June; so take a look to find out when and where it’ll playing at a theater near you.
First here’s the clip (titled “Meaning to Life,” which features John Densmore (drummer for the Doors), remembering one awesome though divisive performance by the late jazz legend, later in his career when he embraced a more free-form version of jazz.
And here’s the trailer:
And finally, the screening schedule:
