Jazz trumpeter Bleek Gilliam makes questionable decisions in his professional and romantic lives.
Director:
Writer:
Awards:
- 1 win & 3 nominations.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Complete, Cast awaiting verification
| Denzel Washington | ... |
Bleek Gilliam
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| Spike Lee | ... |
Giant
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| Wesley Snipes | ... |
Shadow Henderson (Sax)
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| Giancarlo Esposito | ... |
Left Hand Lacey (Piano)
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| Robin Harris | ... |
Butterbean Jones
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| Joie Lee | ... |
Indigo Downes
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| Bill Nunn | ... |
Bottom Hammer (Bass)
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| John Turturro | ... |
Moe Flatbush
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| Dick Anthony Williams | ... |
Big Stop Williams
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| Cynda Williams | ... |
Clarke Bentancourt
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| Nicholas Turturro | ... |
Josh Flatbush
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Jeff 'Tain' Watts | ... |
Rhythm Jones (Drums)
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| Samuel L. Jackson | ... |
Madlock
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| Leonard L. Thomas | ... |
Rod
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| Charlie Murphy | ... |
Eggy
(as Charles Q. Murphy)
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| Steve White | ... |
Born Knowledge
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| Rubén Blades | ... |
Petey
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| Abbey Lincoln | ... |
Lillian Gilliam
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Linda Hawkins | ... |
Jeanne
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Raye Dowell | ... |
Rita
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| Angela Hall | ... |
Cora
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| Coati Mundi | ... |
Roberto
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Zakee Howze | ... |
Young Bleek / Miles
(as Zakee L. Howze)
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| Deon Richmond | ... |
Tyrone
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| Raymond Anthony Thomas | ... |
Joe
(as Raymond Thomas)
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Sheldon Turnipseed | ... |
Benny
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Christopher Skeffrey | ... |
Louis
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Terrence Williams | ... |
Sam
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Darryl M. Wonge Jr. | ... |
Miles at Birth
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Jelani Asar Snipes | ... |
Miles, Age 1
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Glenn Williams III | ... |
Miles, Age 3
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Arnold Cromer | ... |
Miles, Age 5
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| Leon Addison Brown | ... |
Smith
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Scot Anthony Robinson | ... |
Cooley
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Herbert Daughtry | ... |
Minister
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| Bill Lee | ... |
Father of the Bride
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| Branford Marsalis | ... |
Party Guest
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| Doug E. Doug | ... |
Jimmy the Busboy
(as Douglas Bourne)
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| Tracy Camilla Johns | ... |
Club Patron
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John Canada Terrell | ... |
Club Patron
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Monty Ross | ... |
Club Patron
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Carol M. Wiggins | ... |
Club Patron
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Isabella | ... |
Club Patron
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| Mamie Louise Anderson | ... |
Club Patron
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| Joe Seneca | ... |
Big Stop's Friend
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| John Sobestanovich | ... |
Taxi Driver
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| Flavor Flav | ... |
Impatient Movie Patron
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Diahann Carroll | ... |
Jazz Club Singer (uncredited)
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Esther Castro | ... |
Club restaurant audience (uncredited)
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| Dave Droge | ... |
Night Club Patron (uncredited)
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Anaysha Figueroa | ... |
Shanika (uncredited)
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| Curt Hayward | ... |
Jazz Club Patron (uncredited)
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| Candace Kirkpatrick | ... |
Club Patron and Dancer (uncredited)
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| Stephen Vause | ... |
Club Patron (uncredited)
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Dacia Washington | ... |
Club Patron (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Spike Lee | ||
Written by
| Spike Lee | ... | (written by) |
Produced by
| Jon Kilik | ... | line producer |
| Spike Lee | ... | producer |
| Monty Ross | ... | co-producer |
Music by
| Bill Lee | ||
Cinematography by
| Ernest R. Dickerson | ... | (as Ernest Dickerson) |
Editing by
| Sam Pollard | ||
Editorial Department
| Donna Myers-Rambharose | ... | apprentice editor |
| Leander T. Sales | ... | assistant editor |
| Brunilda Torres | ... | first assistant editor |
| Dave Pultz | ... | color timer (uncredited) |
Casting By
| Robi Reed | ||
Production Design by
| Wynn Thomas | ||
Set Decoration by
| Ted Glass | ||
Costume Design by
| Ruth E. Carter | ... | (as Ruth Carter) |
Makeup Department
| Matiki Anoff | ... | makeup artist |
| Clifford Booker | ... | hair stylist: women |
| Tom Brumberger | ... | special makeup effects artist |
| Larry M. Cherry | ... | hair stylist: men (as Larry Cherry) |
| Debbie Deas | ... | additional makeup artist |
| Marjorie Durand | ... | key makeup artist (as Margie Durand) |
Production Management
| Preston L. Holmes | ... | production supervisor (as Preston Holmes) |
| Brent Owens | ... | unit manager |
| Donna Smith | ... | executive in charge of production |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| H.H. Cooper | ... | second assistant director |
| Randy Fletcher | ... | first assistant director |
| Dale M. Nielsen | ... | second second assistant director |
| Dale Pierce-Johnson | ... | second assistant director |
Art Department
| Jane Asch | ... | camera scenic artist |
| Wilbur L. Ball | ... | apprentice scenic |
| Jeff Balsmeyer | ... | storyboard artist |
| Martin Bernstein | ... | construction coordinator |
| Nancy Gayle Boytos | ... | set dresser (as Nancy Boytos) / set dresser |
| Joan Brockschmidt | ... | second dresser (as Joan Brocksmidt) |
| Marcia Brown | ... | art department production assistant |
| Kimberly Buckley | ... | assistant to the set decorator (as Kimberley Ann Buckley) |
| William Butler | ... | set dresser (as Bill Butler) |
| Mary Citarella | ... | scenic artist |
| Rodney Clark | ... | set builder |
| Michael Curry Jr. | ... | set builder (as Mike Curry Jr.) |
| Sara D'Alessandro | ... | scenic sculptor (as Sara D'Allesandro) |
| Eva P. Davy | ... | scenic artist (as Eva Davy) |
| Ellen Doak | ... | scenic artist |
| Judith Evans | ... | scenic artist (as Judith A. Evans) |
| James Geyer | ... | scenic shopman |
| Jeffrey L. Glave | ... | scenic chargeman |
| Carmen Griffin | ... | shop production assistant |
| John Grimolizzi | ... | set builder |
| Bruce Lee Gross | ... | lead man |
| Harold Horn | ... | set builder |
| Gary Jennings | ... | scenic artist |
| Joyce Kubalak-Szuflita | ... | scenic artist (as Joyce Kubalak) |
| Kevin Ladson | ... | first assistant props |
| Michael Leather | ... | set dresser |
| Virginia Lim | ... | scenic artist |
| Timothy Main | ... | set builder (as Tim Main) |
| Charles McClennahan | ... | assistant art director |
| Philip Michelson | ... | second assistant props |
| Octavio Molina | ... | property master |
| Ken Nelson | ... | key set builder |
| Carl Prinzi | ... | key construction grip |
| Michael T. Roberts | ... | assistant art director |
| Rosalie Russino | ... | scenic shopwoman (as Rosalle Russino) |
| Sherryl Sachs | ... | scenic artist |
| Mark Paul Selemon | ... | set dresser (as Mark Selemon) |
| Charlene Shildmyer | ... | scenic artist (as Charlene Shildmeyer) |
| Salvatore Sirico | ... | set builder (as Sal Sirico) |
| Pam Stephens | ... | art department coordinator |
| Peter Swaine | ... | construction production assistant (as Peter Swain) |
| Paul Wardwell | ... | construction grip |
| Robert Woods Jr. | ... | construction grip |
Sound Department
| Abdul Malik Abbott | ... | cable person (as Abdul Abbott) |
| Marko A. Costanzo | ... | foley artist (as Marko Costanzo) |
| Pam DeMetruis-Thomas | ... | adr editor (as Pam Demetrius) |
| Kay Denmark | ... | adr boom operator |
| William Docker | ... | assistant sound editor (as Bill Docker) |
| Stephen Fitzstephens | ... | sound |
| Tom Fleischman | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Rosa Howell-Thornhill | ... | sound production assistant |
| Brian Johnson | ... | assistant sound editor |
| Frank Kern | ... | foley editor |
| Kevin Lee | ... | sound editor |
| Skip Lievsay | ... | sound designer |
| Alexander Markowski | ... | rough cut sound mix engineer |
| Jann McClary | ... | apprentice sound editor |
| Bruce Pross | ... | foley editor |
| Andrew Schmetterling | ... | boom operator |
| Gail Showalter | ... | adr editor |
| Greg Speed | ... | assistant sound editor (as Gregory L. Speed) |
| Frank Stettner | ... | sound recordist |
| Philip Stockton | ... | sound editor |
| Steven Visscher | ... | foley editor |
Special Effects by
| Michael L. Benson | ... | special effects (as Michael Benson) |
| Tom Newton | ... | special effects coordinator |
| Will Scheck | ... | special effects |
| Chris Skutch | ... | special effects |
Visual Effects by
| Don Canfield | ... | motion control operator: title sequences |
| Andy Hudson | ... | visual effects |
Stunts
| Roy Farfel | ... | utility stunts |
| David S. Lomax | ... | utility stunts (as David Lomax) |
| Elliot Santiago | ... | utility stunts |
| Jeff Ward | ... | stunt coordinator |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Henry Adebonojo | ... | second assistant camera |
| Stuart Allen | ... | crane technician: Louma crane |
| Robert M. Andres | ... | key grip (as Bob Andres) |
| Martin Andrews | ... | pre-rigging gaffer |
| Jonathan Burkhart | ... | first assistant camera |
| Beverly Cable | ... | electric trainee |
| Ted Churchill | ... | steadicam operator |
| Myra-Lee Cohen | ... | additional second assistant camera |
| Val DeSalvo | ... | best boy electric (as Valerie Desalvo) |
| Christian Epps | ... | dimmer board operator |
| Daniel Finn | ... | additional grip (as Dan Finn) |
| Bob Gorelick | ... | steadicam operator |
| Andy Harris | ... | second assistant camera (as Andrew Harris) |
| Charles Houston | ... | gaffer |
| Pamela Katz | ... | first assistant camera (as Pam Katz) |
| Tom Kudlek | ... | dolly grip |
| David Lee | ... | still photographer |
| Larry McConkey | ... | steadicam operator |
| Derek McKane | ... | additional electrician |
| John Mitchell | ... | electrician |
| John Newby | ... | camera operator |
| Ed Newins Jr. | ... | grip |
| David Noble | ... | additional grip |
| John O'Malley | ... | electrician |
| Phil Oetiker | ... | additional camera operator (as Phil Oeticker) |
| George Pattison | ... | additional camera operator |
| Carl Peterson | ... | grip |
| Floyd A.B. Rance III | ... | camera trainee |
| Nate Ranger | ... | assistant camera |
| Paul Reuter | ... | additional second assistant camera |
| Keith Salkowski | ... | electrician |
| Leslie Saltus-Evans | ... | camera trainee (as Leslie Saltus) |
| Susan Starr | ... | additional first assistant camera |
| Lois Thompson | ... | grip trainee |
| Joan Zierler | ... | additional first assistant camera |
Casting Department
| Paulette D. Clark | ... | casting assistant (as Paulette Clark) |
| David H. Kramer | ... | adr voice casting |
| Andrea Reed | ... | extras casting |
| Tracy Vilar | ... | extras casting |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Donna Berwick | ... | assistant to costume designer |
| Lisa R. Frucht | ... | wardrobe assistant (as Lisa Frucht) |
| Beulah Jones-Black | ... | assistant to costume designer |
| Jennifer Lax | ... | wardrobe assistant |
| Rita McGhee | ... | wardrobe production assistant |
| Susie Money | ... | wardrobe supervisor |
| Janinea Shelton | ... | wardrobe production assistant |
| Miriam Wong Tsao | ... | wardrobe assistant (as Miriam Wong) |
Location Management
| Bil Haley-Freeman | ... | assistant location manager |
| Eric Klein | ... | location assistant (as Eric Barry Klein) |
| Brent Owens | ... | location manager |
| Dale Watkins | ... | assistant location manager (as Dale T. Watkins) |
| Eddie Rehfeldt | ... | location scout (uncredited) |
Music Department
| Abdul Malik Abbott | ... | music playback |
| Vince Caro | ... | assistant scoring engineer |
| Stephen Fitzstephens | ... | music engineer |
| James Flatto | ... | assistant music editor |
| Alex Steyermark | ... | music editor |
| Terence Blanchard | ... | composer: special music (uncredited) |
| Jennie Hansen | ... | musician: viola (uncredited) |
Script and Continuity Department
| Nike Zachmanoglou | ... | continuity / script supervisor |
Transportation Department
| William K. Gaskins | ... | driver (as Willi Gaskins) |
| Charlie Hoffman | ... | driver |
| Harry J. Leavey | ... | driver (as Harry Leavey) |
| James Leavey | ... | transportation captain |
| Tom Newins | ... | driver |
| Martin Whitfield | ... | driver |
Additional Crew
| Shannon Amos | ... | production coordinator |
| Randall Balsmeyer | ... | title designer |
| Alysse Bezahler | ... | assistant production office coordinator |
| Terence Blanchard | ... | technical consultant |
| Wanda Brooks | ... | intern |
| Yolanda Busbee | ... | production assistant: 40 Acres |
| Jeffrey W. Byrd | ... | intern (as Jeffrey Byrd) |
| Shari L. Carpenter | ... | office production assistant |
| Melvin Tyrone Clarke | ... | intern |
| Eric Daniel | ... | set production assistant |
| Lee Davis | ... | craft service |
| Lyle Dickey | ... | intern |
| Mike Ellis | ... | set production assistant (as Michael Ellis) |
| Michael Fleming | ... | technical consultant |
| Susan D. Fowler | ... | production coordinator: Forty Acres |
| Anna Fuson | ... | unit publicist (as Anna Southall) |
| Michael Gaynor | ... | dailies projectionist |
| Brian Harris | ... | parking production assistant |
| Donald Harrison | ... | technical consultant |
| Van Hayden | ... | craft service (as Van A. Hayden) |
| Patricia Ann Holmes | ... | assistant auditor (as Patricia Holmes) |
| Anthony L. Jamison | ... | apprentice |
| Debra D. Jeffreys | ... | production office coordinator |
| Desirée Jellerette | ... | production secretary |
| Kristen M. Johnson | ... | intern |
| Damon Jones | ... | intern |
| Janice Kambara | ... | intern |
| Erik Barry Klein | ... | parking coordinator |
| Erik Knight | ... | set production assistant |
| Bill Lee | ... | technical consultant |
| Cinqué Lee | ... | video archivist |
| Leticia Lee | ... | assistant auditor |
| Palesa Ka Letlaka | ... | intern |
| Sam Longoria | ... | publicity assistant: Universal |
| Karen Mason | ... | intern |
| Tiffany McLinn Lore | ... | intern (as Tiffany McClinn) |
| Larry Mims | ... | assistant: Mr. Washington |
| Ayesha Morales | ... | intern |
| Robert F. Nickson | ... | production controller (as Robert Nickson) |
| Fred Nielson | ... | set production assistant (as Fred Nielsen) |
| Eric Oden | ... | auditor |
| Daryl C. Patterson | ... | craft service (as Daryl Patterson) |
| Thomas Patrick Petrilla | ... | production assistant |
| Traci Proctor | ... | office production assistant |
| Kia B. Puriefoy | ... | set production assistant (as Kia Puriefoy) |
| Robert Reynolds | ... | Market Analyst |
| Simona Ross | ... | intern |
| Amada R. Sandoval | ... | intern |
| Jean-Andre Sassine | ... | parking production assistant |
| Winsome Sinclair | ... | intern (as Winsome GM Sinclair) |
| Audra C. Smith | ... | production assistant: 40 Acres (as Audra Smith) |
| Earl Smith | ... | assistant: Mr. Lee |
| Kevin A. Smith | ... | intern |
| Susan Stuart | ... | intern |
| Doug G. Watson | ... | set production assistant (as Doug Watson) |
| Daniel Wheatcroft | ... | studio executive |
| Latanya White | ... | intern |
| Harold R. Williams Jr. | ... | assistant dailies projectionist (as Harold Williams) |
| Coati Mundi | ... | adr voice (uncredited) |
Production Companies
- Universal Pictures (presents)
- 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks (production)
Distributors
- Universal Pictures (1990) (United States) (theatrical)
- United International Pictures (UIP) (1990) (France) (theatrical)
- MCA/Universal Home Video (1990) (United States) (VHS) (pan and scan for MCA Home Video)
- United International Pictures (UIP) (1990) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- United International Pictures (UIP) (1990) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- United International Pictures (UIP) (1990) (Norway) (theatrical)
- CIC Video (1990) (Germany) (VHS)
- Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (UPHE) (2004) (United States) (DVD)
- CIC Vídeo (Brazil) (VHS)
- Canal+ (1992) (France) (tv) (dubbed version)
- Kino Lorber (2020) (United States) (Blu-ray)
- Pandastorm Pictures (2019) (Germany) (Blu-ray)
- Universal Pictures (2006) (Germany) (DVD)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- 11:24 Design Advertising (poster design)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
Bleek Gilliam is a talented and self-centred jazz trumpeteer, whose single-minded concentration on his music leaves many, especially the women in his life, scrambling for his attention. Bleek forms his own band The Bleek Gilliam Quartet, and a rivalry emerges with bandmate Shadow that threatens to tear apart the quartet. |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | A Spike Lee joint. See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
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Additional Details
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Box Office
| Budget | $10,000,000 (estimated) |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | Denzel Washington and Wesley Snipes were trained to mimic the playing of the instruments they play in the film (trumpet and saxophone), by musicians Terence Blanchard and Donald Harrison. Washington later admitted that he was lucky if he could play three notes of a simple tune prior to filming, and ended up being able to correctly mimic most of the songs performed in the film, as did Snipes. See more » |
| Goofs | During the performance of Bleek's "Pop Top Urban 40 Funk Love ... Song", Bleek's headgear changes from hat to baseball cap. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Edited into Cynda Williams: Harlem Blues (1990). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Harlem Blues See more » |
| Crazy Credits | Flavor Flave of the rap group Public Enemy spells out the letters in "Universal" as the studio logo appears on the screen. See more » |
| Quotes |
Clarke:
'Cause mo better makes it mo better. See more » |