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.