Mo' Better Blues (1990)

Mo' Better Blues is a 1990 drama film starring Denzel Washington, Wesley Snipes, and Spike Lee, who also directed. It follows a period in the life of a fictional jazz trumpeter, Bleek Gilliam (played by Washington), as a series of bad decisions result in his jeopardizing both his relationships and his playing career. The film focuses on themes of friendship, loyalty, honesty, cause-and-effect and ultimately salvation. It features the music of the Branford Marsalis quartet and Terence Blanchard on trumpet. The film was released five months after the death of Robin Harris and is dedicated to his memory.

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Cast:

• Bill Nunn — Bottom Hammer
• Charlie Murphy — Eggy
• Coati Mundi — Roberto
• Cynda Williams — Clarke Bentancourt
• Denzel Washington — Bleek Gilliam
• Giancarlo Esposito
• Giancarlo Esposito — Left Hand Lacey
• Robin Harris
• Jeff "Tain" Watts — Rhythm Jones
• John Turturro — Moe Flatbush
• Joie Lee — Indigo Downes
• Joie Lee
• Spike Lee
• Leonard L. Thomas — Rod
• Nicholas Turturro — Josh Flatbush
• Bill Nunn
• Robin Harris — Butterbean Jones
• Samuel L. Jackson — Madlock
• Wesley Snipes
• Spike Lee — Giant
• John Turturro
• Denzel Washington
• Wesley Snipes — Shadow Henderson
• Cynda Williams
• Dick Anthony Williams