This piece was originally published on JAZZ.FM91. 

Ethan Hawke has been fascinated with trumpet player and singer Chet Baker for a long time. For decades, he has sought after the right script so that he might portray the legendary Jazz figure on the big screen. His hopes have been realized thanks to the Canadian-produced Born to be Blue.

For the last 30 years, the Austin, Texas born actor has helped to define a generation within the cinema. His ambition and daring spirit has landed him roles that range in character and genre including Boyhood, Before Sunrise, Dead Poet’s Society, Training Day, and Sinister. Next year will see Hawke starring alongside his old acting pal Denzel Washington in a highly anticipated remake of The Magnificent Seven.

Born to be Blue acts as a re-imagining of the difficult life and dazzling talent of Chet Baker. The time and setting takes us to Chet Baker’s musical comeback in the late 60’s. It isn’t a classic biopic: instead we are asked to imagine Chet Baker starring in a film about his own checkered career, which acts as a broad story telling tool for Canadian Director Robert Budreau. It’s a narrative full of blurred lines that rather suits the protagonist. A Chet Baker strung out on heroin, a Chet Baker who has drunk his own fame kool aid, and a Chet Baker trying to get his career back on the rails.

To make this script come alive Ethan had big work ahead of him. His training included learning to play trumpet alongside Toronto musicians Kevin Turcotte and Ben Promane. He also sings in the film, attempting to harness Baker’s famous lonely phrasing. The soundtrack is a re-imagining of the Chet Baker catalogue and was produced by Toronto’s David Braid.

Perhaps the most Canadian aspect of this production is that it was shot in Sudbury, Ontario in 2015, but the mining town works strikingly well as a stand in for the Big Apple.

Senior Arts Editor Mark Wigmore sat down with both the films stars: Ethan Hawke at the Shangri La Hotel in downtown Toronto, and Carmen Ejogo at the Intercontinental Toronto Centre during TIFF 2015

Born to be Blue premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival last September, but has arrived at TIFF Bell Lightbox for an exclusive theatrical run. Click here for show times.