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New John Coltrane Documentary to Premiere at Telluride Film Festival

Film festival to take place Sept. 2-5

John Coltrane
John Coltrane

A new authorized documentary, Chasing Trane, based on the life and career of John Coltrane, is scheduled to make its world premiere at the Telluride Film Festival between Sept. 2-5 in Telluride, Colorado. The film, written and directed by John Scheinfeld, will also make its international debut at the Toronto International Film Festival Sept. 9-15.

As stated in a press release, Chasing Trane “reveals the critical events, passions, experiences and challenges that shaped the life of John Coltrane and his revolutionary sounds,” with commentary from Sonny Rollins, Benny Golson, Wynton Marsalis, Carlos Santana and Kamasi Washington, and will feature clips of the saxophonist’s performances and excerpts from print interviews read by Academy Award-winning actor Denzel Washington, as well as never-before-seen home movies, photographs, television appearances and newly found footage of Coltrane and his band in the studio.

“In all of his roles Denzel radiates an exceptional quiet strength,” said Scheinfeld, in a press release. “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 time to participate in our film.”

The film’s team, including producers Spencer Proffer, Scott Pascucci, John Beug and Dave Harding, was given full access, with the support of the Coltrane Estate, to Coltrane’s catalog of recordings on Prestige, Blue Note, Atlantic, Pablo and Impulse!, allowing Chasing Trane to be scored entirely with Coltrane’s music. As stated in a press release, “The beauty, poignancy, energy, pain and joy heard in nearly 50 Coltrane recordings from throughout his career bring alive the artist and the times in which he lived. Each composition used was carefully selected to support the emotional and uplifting content of nearly every scene in the film.”

For more information, including screening times, visit the official Telluride Film Festival website. And for Toronto International Film Festival screening times, visit tiff.net.

Originally Published