Mo’ Better Blues

This is the title of a 1990 Spike Lee movie about the life of fictional character Bleek Gillium. Bleek is the leader of the band that has a standing gig at the neighborhood jazz club. The movie stars Denzel Washington as Bleek Gillium and Wesley Snipe as Shadow. The tension between the band leader and team is contentious at times. The band wants Bleek to dump his manager and long-term friend, Giant played by Spike Lee.

The soundtrack was performed by Terence Blanchard and the Branford Marsalis Quartet. The title song, Mo Better Blues, was actually written by Spike Lee’s dad Bill Lee.

I remember being so moved by the song and the movie that I drew a color copy of the album cover and had it framed.