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FIRST THEATRICAL DOCUMENTARY ABOUT JOHN COLTRANE ANNOUNCED FILM WILL EXPLORE THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE, CAREER AND TURBULENT TIMES OF THE MUSIC LEGEND
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| Los Angeles, CA – December 8, 2014 – Meteor 17 and Crew Neck Productions have announced that they will produce a new authorized documentary based on the extraordinary life of revolutionary artist John Coltrane. The film, targeted for theatrical release in late 2015 / early 2016, will be written and directed by award-winning filmmaker John Scheinfeld (The U.S. vs. John Lennon and Who Is Harry Nilsson (and Why Is Everybody Talkin’ About Him))? and created with the full cooperation of John Coltrane’s estate. Meteor 17’s Spencer D. Proffer, along with John Beug and Scott Pascucci will produce. The filmmakers have been granted unprecedented access to Coltrane’s complete catalog, including recordings on Prestige, Blue Note, Atlantic, Pablo and Impulse! View an exclusive clip of Coltrane performing one of his signature songs “My Favorite Things” during a 1965 concert in Comblain-la-Tour, Belgium, taken from the DVD series Jazz Icons (C) Reelin’ In The Years Productions. For up-to-date film information please visit: www.ColtraneFilm.com.
Set against the social, political and cultural landscape of his times, the film will reveal the passions and demons that shaped Coltrane’s life, and explore why his music transcends the barriers of race, religion and age as it continues to inspire listeners around the world decades after his death. Utilizing never-before-seen Coltrane family home movies and audio recordings along with rare film and television appearances, Coltrane’s incredible story will be told by the people who know him best: his family, the musicians that worked with him, and the cultural icons who continue to draw inspiration from his fearless artistry and boundless creative vision. “What is it about the music of John Coltrane that transcends all barriers of geography, race, religion and age? Who is this outside-the-box thinker whose boundary-shattering work continues to inspire people around the world? Like any good mystery story, this film will peel back the layers of a compelling, emotional, passionate and dramatic life of demons and redemption to reveal the answers to these and other intriguing questions,” says writer and director John Scheinfeld. “We’re also offering people the chance to contribute to the film by sharing stories of how John Coltrane and his music have inspired them personally and professionally. All submissions to the film’s website will be reviewed and the best ones will be considered for the final cut.” |
| “John Coltrane is known to many as an icon of musical and creative expression. He is also known in ways that defy music. His name and what he symbolizes is instantly recognized even by those who don’t follow his music,” says Ravi Coltrane, musician and son of the jazz legend.
“It is more than a pleasure to know that his life and music, impact and influence, so many decades later will be brought to the screen by such dedicated filmmakers. On behalf of the Coltrane family, I wholeheartedly give our support to this new project. We have the highest hopes that John’s story and music will be seen, heard, and felt in a new and unique light.”
Lead producer of the film, Spencer Proffer notes, “Our entire team is excited to work with director John Scheinfeld in sharing the power and influence of Coltrane’s music – culturally, musically and spiritually, with the world through the making of this film and our planned extensions.”
The film will be scored in its entirety with John Coltrane’s music. The beauty and poignancy of his music will heighten the film’s emotional resonance, enabling the audience to hear his music in completely new and different ways. Born September 23rd, 1926 in Hamlet, North Carolina, John Coltrane’s first introduction to music came through his musician father. Growing up, Coltrane was obsessed with the records of Count Basie and Lester Young. At the age of 13, he picked up the saxophone and tried to imitate the sounds of his then idols Charlie Parker and Johnny Hodges. Thus began the career of one of the Twentieth Century’s most important and influential artists. Coltrane’s dramatic life story was cinematic in its scope¾from his early musical life playing alongside giants Dizzy Gillespie, Eddie Vinson and Jimmy Heath, to breakout performances with the Miles Davis Quintet on their classic recordings ‘Round About Midnight and Kind of Blue, to the historic partnership with Thelonious Monk and then finally to his astonishing solo career that gave the world such musical diamonds as Giant Steps, My Favorite Things, Impressions, Live at Birdland and 1965’s seminal A Love Supreme.
“Trane” died in 1967 at the age of 40, an enigmatic, dominant figure whose massive influence on generations of artists has grown even stronger since his death. About John Scheinfeld: Emmy®, Grammy® and Writers Guild Award nominee and Telly Award-winnerJohn Scheinfeld is a highly respected writer-director-producer of documentaries for theatrical and television distribution with a broad range of subjects and critically-acclaimed films to his credit including The U.S. vs. John Lennon, Who Is Harry Nilsson and (Why Is Everybody Talkin’ About Him)?, We Believe, and Dick Cavett’s Watergate. In addition, Scheinfeld has also created and written pilot scripts for drama series for ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox. He is a graduate of Oberlin College and received his MFA from Northwestern University.
About Meteor 17 & Spencer Proffer: Headquartered in Los Angeles, this convergence and production venture is helmed by innovative media and music producer, Spencer Proffer. M17 is producing and is developing an ambitious slate of projects across music, TV, film, Internet, live event, and other platforms, integrating brand marketing and music as organic components. M17 is a full service organization that actively participates from conception and architecture through all phases of deal making, production, marketing and distribution entities highlighted on www.meteor17.com.
Spencer Proffer is a highly regarded media producer and strategist with a long history of connecting with audiences. His productions have garnered Academy, Golden Globe, Emmy, Grammy and Tony awards and nominations, and as music producer, Spencer has sold millions of gold and platinum records. He has expanded his pedigree by architecting and executing original content for films, brands and distribution companies to get their message across, utilizing music as an organic component.
About John Beug: John Beug’s career spans over 30 years in the music industry, including overseeing music video, long form television and DVD-audio production for Warner Music Group and its record labels. A four-time Emmy nominated producer, John’s credits include an Emmy Award for Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival and Grammy Award for When You’re Strange: A Film About The Doors. |
