Lush Life (1993)

Superb drama about two best friends who play jazz in night clubs.

Director:

Michael Elias

Writer:

Michael Elias

Stars:

Ernie Andrews, Jeff Goldblum, Buddy Arnold

Won 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ernie Andrews	...	Himself
Jeff Goldblum	...	Al Gorky
Buddy Arnold	...	Benny
Forest Whitaker	...	Buddy Chester
Kathy Baker	...	Janice Oliver
Valerie Bickford	...	Singer
Frank Cavestani	...	Trombone #1
Don Cheadle	...	Jack
Lois Chiles	...	Lucy
Alex Désert	...	Lester (as Alex Desert)
Pat Distefano	...	Waiter
Everette Harp	...	Session Leader
Charlie Heath	...	Young Man
Tom La Grua	...	Howard (as Tom LaGrua)
Laraine Mestman	...	Party Guest #1

Storyline

Superb drama about two best friends who play jazz in night clubs.

---

Plot Keywords:

jazz | bebop

---

Genres:

Drama

---

Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

October 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

Jazz dans la nuit

Filming Locations:

Birdland Jazz Club, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Chanticleer Films, Showtime Pictures Inc.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The musicians seen on screen throughout the film are actual Los Angeles musicians who perform and record film scores, with the exception of actors Jeff Goldblum, Forest Whitaker, Don Cheadle and 'Alex Desert'. Everette Harp seen early in the film at a recording session is an actual jazz saxophonist with a complete discography. Forest Whitaker also starred in another film based on jazz, "Bird" in which he played late jazz saxophonist Charlie "Bird" Parker who is refernced in this film several times and plays the trumpet in reference to another great jazz musician, Clifford Brown. Lennie Niehaus, the film's composer and arranger's voice can be heard counting down the orchestra in the opening recording session that Jeff Goldblum and Forest Whitaker open the film with. Jack Sheldon who plays Norman, was a jazz trumpet player performing with the likes of Johnny Mandel and Stan Getz.

---

Connections

References Twilight Zone (1959)

---

Soundtracks

"Up Jumped Spring"
by Freddie Hubbard
Sung by Sue Raney

User Reviews

Outstanding Music

I remember seeing this years ago and besides Forest Whitaker and Jeff Goldblum having the major roles in this movie the thing I was impressed with was the music. So much so that I wondered all this time if there is a soundtrack available. This is the second time in several years that I've searched for this movie for the same reason, only I forgot the name of it but always recall the two major actors so I knew I could find it again. I didn't realize that this was a made for TV movie, I don't recall what the plot was but I do recall FW and JG and foremost was the Big Band sound that blew my mind. I gave it an eight mainly because I don't really remember it but that it was a mishmash of what I can recall of it and that I would very much like to get the music. I'm a Blues and Rock and Roll lover and the only place I've seen Big Band stuff is on TV and the only mike was just for the singer. I imagine the whole venue grooving to it's natural vibe.