Mo' Better Blues
About a Jazz player, Bleek Gilliam who becomes the leader of a successful jazz band and keeps two mistresses.
Cast & credits
Cast
- Bleek Gilliam Denzel Washington
- Giant Spike Lee
- Shadow Henderson Wesley Snipes
- Left Hand Lacey Giancarlo Esposito
- Butterbean Jones Robin Harris
- Indigo Downes Joie Lee
- Bottom Hammer Bill Nunn
- Moe Flatbush John Turturro
- Big Stop Gilliam Dick Anthony Williams
- Clarke Bentancourt Cynda Williams
- Josh Flatbush Nicholas Turturro
- Rhythm Jones Jeff 'Tain' Watts
- Madlock Samuel L. Jackson
- Rod Leonard Thomas
- Eggy Charles Q. Murphy
- Born Knowledge Steve White
- Petey Rubén Blades
- Lillian Giliam Abbey Lincoln
- Jeanne Linda Hawkins
- Rita Raye Dowell
- Cora Angela Hall
- Roberto Andy Hernandez
- young Bleek/Miles Zakee L. Howze
- Tyrone Deon Richmond
- Shanika Anaysha Figueroa
- Joe Raymond Thomas
- Benny Sheldon Turnipseed
- Louis Christopher Skeffrey
- Sam Terrence Williams
- Miles at birth Darryl M. Wonge Jr
- Miles, aged 1 Jelani Asar Snipes
- Miles, aged 3 Glenn Williams Iii
- Miles, aged 5 Arnold Cromer
- Smith Leon Addison Brown
- Cooley Scot Anthony Robinson
- minister Reverend Herbert Daughtry
- father of the bride Bill Lee
- party guest Branford Marsalis
- Jimmy the busboy Douglas Bourne
- club patron Tracy Camila Johns
- club patron John Canada Terrell
- club patron Monty Ross
- club patron Carol M. Wiggins
- club patron Isabella
- club patron Mamie Louise Anderson
- Big Stop's friend Joe Seneca
- taxi driver John Sobestanovich
- impatient movie patron Flava Flav
Credits
Direction
- Directed by Spike Lee
- Assistant Director (1st) Randy Fletcher
- Assistant Director (2nd) H.H. Cooper
- Assistant Director (2nd) Dale Pierce-johnson
- Continuity Nike Zachmanoglou
Production
- ©/Production Company Universal Pictures
- Production Company 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks
- Produced by Spike Lee
- Co-producer Monty Ross
- Line Producer Jon Kilik
- Unit/Location Manager Brent Owens
- Production Supervisor Preston Holmes
- Production Office Co-ordinator Debra D. Jeffreys
- 40 Acres Production Co-ordinator Susan D. Fowler
- Assistant Production Office Co-ordinator Alysse Bezahler
- Production Comptroller Robert Nickson
- Auditor Eric Oden
- Assistant Auditor Patricia Holmes
- Assistant Auditor LeTicia Lee
- Assistant Location Manager Dale Watkins
- Assistant Location Manager Bil Haley-freeman
- Locations Assistant Eric Barry Klein
- Production Secretary Desirée Jellerette
- Assistant to Mr Lee Earl Smith
- Assistant to Mr Washington Larry Mims
- Production Assistant (Office) Traci Proctor
- Production Assistant (40 Acres) Yolanda Busbee
- Production Assistant (40 Acres) Audra C. Smith
- Production Assistant (Set) Eric Daniel
- Production Assistant (Set) Michael Ellis
- Production Assistant (Set) Erik Knight
- Production Assistant (Set) Frederick Nielsen
- Production Assistant (Set) Kia B. Puriefoy
- Production Assistant (Set) Doug G. Watson
- Production Assistant (Art Department) Marcia Stone
- Production Assistant (Casting) Paulette D. Clark
- Production Assistant (Construction) Peter Swaine
- Production Assistant (Shop) Carmen Griffin
- Production Assistant (Wardrobe) Rita Mcghee
- Production Assistant (Wardrobe) Janinea Shelton
- Production Assistant (Sound) Rosa Howell-thornhill
- Production Assistant (Parking) Brian Harris
- Production Assistant (Continuity) Shari Carpenter
- Intern Wanda Brooks
- Intern Jeffrey Byrd
- Intern Melvin Tyrone Clarke
- Intern Lyle Dickey
- Intern Kristen M. Johnson
- Intern Damon Jones
- Intern Palesa Letlaka-nkosi
- Intern Janice Kambara
- Intern Karen Mason
- Intern Tiffany McClinn
- Intern Ayesha Morales
- Intern Simona Ross
- Intern Amada R. Sandoval
- Intern Winsome Sinclair
- Intern Kevin A. Smith
- Intern Susan Stuart
- Intern Latanya White
Casting
- Casting Robi Reed-humes
- Casting (Extras) Andrea Ree
- Casting (Extras) Tracy Vilar
Writing
- Written by Spike Lee
Photography
- Photographed by Ernest Dickerson
- Camera Operator John Newby
- Camera Operator (Additional) Phil Oetiker
- Camera Operator (Additional) George Pattison
- Steadicam Operator Ted Churchill
- Steadicam Operator Bob Gorelick
- Steadicam Operator Larry McConkey
- Assistant Camera (1st) Jonathan Burkhart
- Assistant Camera (1st) Pamela Katz
- Assistant Camera (Additional 1st) Susan Starr
- Assistant Camera (Additional 1st) Joan Zierler
- Assistant Camera (2nd) Henry Adebonojo
- Assistant Camera (2nd) Andrew Harris
- Assistant Camera (Additional 2nd) Myra-Lee Cohen
- Assistant Camera (Additional 2nd) Paul Reuter
- Camera Trainee Leslie Saltus
- Camera Trainee Floyd A.B. Rance Iii
- Gaffer Charles Houston
- [Gaffer] Best Boy Val Desalvo
- Pre-rigging Gaffer Martin Andrews
- Electrics John Mitchell
- Electrics John O'malley
- Electrics Keith Salkowski
- Electric Trainee Beverly Cable
- Dimmer Board Operator Christian Epps
- Additional Electrics Derek Mckane
- Key Grip Robert Andres
- Dolly Grip Tom Kudlek
- [Grip] Best Boy Carl Peterson
- Grip Ed Newins Jr
- Grip Marcus Turner
- Louma Crane Technician Stuart Allen
- Grip Trainee Lois M. Thompson
- Additional Grips David Noble
- Additional Grips Daniel Finn
Stills
- Stills Photography David Lee
Special Effects
- Special Effects Co-ordinator Tom Newton
- Special Effects Michael Benson
- Special Effects Will Scheck
- Special Effects Chris Skutch
- Mo' Better Blues Logo Art Sims
- Mo' Better Blues Logo 11:24 Design & Advertising
Editing
- Editor Sam Pollard
- 1st Assistant Editor Brunilda Torres
- Assistant Editor Leander T. Sales
- Apprentice Editor Donna Myers-rambharose
Design
- Production Designer Wynn Thomas
- Art Department Co-ordinator Pam Stephens
- Assistant Art Director Charles McClennahan
- Assistant Art Director Michael Roberts
- Set Decorator Ted Glass
- Assistant to Set Decorator Kimberley Ann Buckley
- Set Dresser Nancy Boytos
- Set Dresser Bill Butler
- Set Dresser Mike Leather
- Set Dresser Mark Selemon
- Leadman Bruce Lee Gross
- 2nd Dresser Joan Brockschmidt
- Scenic Artist Mary Citarella
- Scenic Artist Eva Davy
- Scenic Artist Ellen Doak
- Scenic Artist Judith A. Evans
- Scenic Artist Gary Jennings
- Scenic Artist Joyce Kubalak
- Scenic Artist Virginia Lim
- Scenic Artist Sherryl Sachs
- Scenic Artist Charlene Shildmeyer
- Scenic Artist Sally Friedman
- Scenic Artist Lorenzo Contessa
- Storyboard Artist Jeffrey Balsmeyer
- Storyboard Artist Jeffrey Balsmeyer
- Scenic Sculptor Sara D'allesandro
- Property Master Octavio Molina
- 1st Assistant Prop Kevin Ladson
- Prop Assistant Philip Michelson
- Construction Co-ordinator Martin Bernstein
- Key Set Builder Kenneth D. Nelson
- Set Builder Rodney Clark
- Set Builder Mike Curry Jr
- Set Builder John Grimolizzi
- Set Builder Harold Horn
- Set Builder Timothy Main
- Set Builder Sal Sirico
- Key Construction Grip Carl Prinzi
- Construction Grip Paul Wardwell
- Construction Grip Robert Woods Jr
- Scenic Chargeman Jeffrey L. Glave
- Camera Scenic Jane Asch
- Scenic Shopwoman Rosalie Russino
- Scenic Shopman James Geyer
- Apprentice Scenic Wilbur L. Ball
Costumes
- Costume Designer Ruth E. Carter
- Assistant to Costume Designer Beulah Jones-black
- Assistant to Costume Designer Donna Berwick
- Assistant to Costume Designer Ceci
- Wardrobe Supervisor Susie Money
- Wardrobe Assistant Lisa Frucht
- Wardrobe Assistant Jennifer Lax
- Wardrobe Assistant Miriam Wong
Make-up
- Make-up Matiki Anoff
- Additional Make-up Margie Durand
- Additional Make-up Debbie Deas
- Prosthetic Make-up Created by Thomas Brumberger
- Men's Hairdresser Larry M. Cherry
- Women's Hairdresser Clifford Booker
Titles
- Main/End Titles Designed and Produced by Balsmeyer & Everett Inc
Film processing
- Opticals Balsmeyer & Everett Inc
Music
- Original Music Score Bill Lee
- The NSO Music Composed and Conducted by Bill Lee
- Music Performed by The Natural Spiritual Orchestra
- NSO ('Strings' Contractor) Stanley G. Hunte
- NSO (Concert Master) Sanford Allen
- NSO (Violin) Winterton Garvey
- NSO (Violin) Elliot Rosoff
- NSO (Violin) Kenneth Gordon
- NSO (Violin) John Pintavalle
- NSO (Violin) Gerald Tarack
- NSO (Violin) Charles Libove
- NSO (Violin) Louann Montesi
- NSO (Violin) Paul Peabody
- NSO (Violin) Suzanne Ornstein
- NSO (Violin) Alvin Rogers
- NSO (Violin) Robert Chausow
- NSO (Violin) Dale Stuckenbruck
- NSO (Violin) Lewis Eley
- NSO (Violin) Diane Monroe
- NSO (Violin) Sandra Billingslea
- NSO (Violin) Cecelia A. Hobbs
- NSO (Violin) Richard Henrickson
- NSO (Violin) Lesa Terry
- NSO (Violin) Laura J. Smith
- NSO (Violin) Gregory Komar
- NSO (Violin) Larissa Blitz
- NSO (Violin) Ethel Abelson
- NSO (Violin) Myra Segal
- NSO (Violin) Joseph Diamonte
- NSO (Violin) Jue Yao
- NSO (Violin) Regis Iandiorio
- NSO (Violin) Marion J. Pinheiro
- NSO (Violin) Yuri Vodovoz
- NSO (Violin) Elena Barere
- NSO (Violin) Yong T. Kim
- NSO (Violin) Erle Grub
- NSO (Violin) Carmel Malin
- NSO (Violin) Maryellen Hester
- NSO (Viola) Jesse Levine
- NSO (Viola) Alfred V. Brown
- NSO (Viola) Harry Zaratzian
- NSO (Viola) Jean Dane
- NSO (Viola) Juliet Haffner
- NSO (Viola) John R. Dexter
- NSO (Viola) Crystal Garner
- NSO (Viola) Richard Spencer
- NSO (Viola) Richard Sortomme
- NSO (Viola) Barry Finclair
- NSO (Viola) Diedre Lawrence
- NSO (Viola) Jennie Hansen
- NSO (Cello) Frederick Zlotkin
- NSO (Cello) Mark Orrin Shuman
- NSO (Cello) Bruce Wang
- NSO (Cello) Melissa Meel
- NSO (Cello) Bruce Rogers
- NSO (Cello) Ellen Hassman
- NSO (Cello) Eileen Folson
- NSO (Cello) Carol Buck
- NSO (Cello) Barbara Bogatin
- NSO (Cello) Seymour Barab
- NSO (Cello) Diane Barere
- NSO (Cello) Clay Ruede
- NSO (Trombone) Robin Eubanks
- NSO (Trombone) Steve Turre
- NSO (Trombone) Papo Vasquez
- NSO (Bass Trombone) Garfield Fobbs
- NSO (French Horn) John Clark
- NSO (French Horn) Vincent Chancey
- NSO (French Horn) Fred Griffin
- NSO (French Horn) Brooks Tillotson
- NSO (Tuba) Howard Johnson
- NSO (Piano) Roland Hanna
- NSO (Piano) Ronnie Matthews
- NSO (Bass) Milt Hinton
- NSO (Bass Contractor) Michael M. Fleming
- NSO (Drums) Joe Chambers
- NSO (Percussion) Warren Smith
- NSO (Percussion) Steve Berrios
- NSO (Percussion) Babatunde Olatunji
- NSO (Percussion) Shina D. Netti
- NSO (Harp) Winifred Starks
- NSO (Reeds Contractor) Frank Wess
- NSO (Flute) Gerry Dodgion
- NSO (Flute/Alto Flute) Seldon Powell
- NSO (Flute/Piccolo) Jerome Richardson
- NSO (Clarinet) Haywood Henry
- NSO (Clarinet) Eddie Barefield
- NSO (Clarinet) Walter Levinsky
- NSO (Clarinet) Alex Foster
- NSO (Bass Clarinet) Babe Clark
- NSO (Oboe/English Horn) Phil Bodner
- NSO (Piano Technician) Alexander Ostovsky
- NSO (Librarian) Charles Davis
- [The NSO Music] Arranged by Bill Lee
- [The NSO Music] Arranged by Frank Foster
- Music Copyist Nancie Banks
- Music Copyist Hassan Williams
- Assistant to Bill Lee Lance Hayward
- Music Editor Alex Steyermark
- Assistant Music Editor James Flatto
- Technical Music Consultant Terence Blanchard
- Technical Music Consultant Michael M. Fleming
- Technical Music Consultant Donald Harrison
Sound
- Sound Design Skip Lievsay
- Sound Recording Frank Stettner
- Boom Operator Andrew Schmetterling
- Cable Man/Playback Abdul Abbott
- Re-recording Mixer Tom Fleischman
- Assistant Sound Editor Brian Johnson
- Assistant Sound Editor Gregory L. Speed
- Assistant Sound Editor Bill Docker
- Apprentice Sound Editor Anthony L. Jamison
- Apprentice Sound Editor Jann McClary
- Negative Matching Nöelle Penraat
- Dialogue Editor Philip Stockton
- Dialogue Editor Kevin Lee
- ADR (Engineer) David Boulton
- ADR Editor Gail Showalter
- ADR Editor Pam Demetruis
- Foley Artist Marko Costanzo
- Foley Editor Bruce Pross
- Foley Editor Frank Kern
Stunts
- Stunt Co-ordinator Jeff Ward
Consultant
- Dolby Consultant Robert S. Warren
- Projectionist Michael Gaynor
- Projectionist's Assistant Harold Williams
- Transportation Captain James F. Leavey
- Driver Harry Leavey
- Driver Willi Gaskins
- Driver Charles Hoffman
- Driver Tom Newins
- Driver Martin Whitfield
- Caterer Culinary Connection
- Product Placement Unique Product Placement
Publicity
- Unit Publicist Anna Southall