Ethan Hawke Stars as Chet Baker in ‘Born to be Blue’ Biopic

  I  
Image

Ethan Hawke stars as jazz trumpeter Chet Baker in the biopic Born to be Blue

(Photo: Courtesy of IFC Films)

IFC films has released the official trailer for Born to be Blue, a new biopic starring Ethan Hawke as the talented but troubled West Coast trumpeter Chet Baker.

The film depicts Baker’s life in the 1950s and ’60s, when the trumpeter’s career and personal life were in shambles due to years of heroin addiction. Spurred in part by a passionate romance, Baker attempts to stage a hard-fought comeback and secure his legacy as a jazz icon.

Directed by Robert Budreau, the film co-stars British actress Carmen Ejogo and Canadian television actor Callum Keith Rennie.

Born to be Blue debuted at the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival. It will be released in select theaters March 11 and will be available on Video on Demand March 31. The soundtrack for the film, which includes two tracks sung by Hawke, will be available March 18 from Rhino Records.

Watch the trailer here:



  • Kandace_Springs_by_Eli_Sethna_copy.jpg

    “There’s nothing quite like it,” Springs says of working with an orchestra. “It’s 60 people working in harmony in the moment. Singing with them is kind of empowering but also humbling at the same time.”

  • James_Brandon_Lewis_by_Julien_Vonier_lo-res.jpeg

    James Brandon Lewis earned honors for Artist of the Year and Tenor Saxophonist of the Year. Three of his recordings placed in the Albums of the Year category.

  • Hal_Galper_Courtesy_halgalper.com_copy.jpg

    Galper was often regarded as an underrated master of his craft.

  • DownBeat_May_8%2C_1975_2.jpg

    Chuck Mangione on the cover of the May 8, 1975, edition of DownBeat.

    Chuck Mangione, Rest in Peace

    Chuck Mangione, one of the most popular trumpeters in jazz history, passed away on July 24 at home in Rochester, New…

  • Rodney_Whitaker_by_Lynne_Brown.jpg

    “Hamiet was one of the most underrated musicians ever,” says Whitaker of baritone saxophonist Hamiet Bluiett.


On Sale Now
September 2025
Kurt Elling
Look Inside
Subscribe
Print | Digital | iPad