• Listen to this segment with Don Cheadle

• Listen to the entire program with Sonali Kolhatkar

Considered one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, it is a surprising fact that no one has yet made a film picturizing the life of jazz legend Miles Davis.

Now, after years of negotiations and careful planning, Academy award nominated actor Don Cheadle has taken the reins to make a film called Miles Ahead, a feature film about a specific five-year period in Davis’ life. Cheadle will direct the film and star as Miles Davis himself, alongside acclaimed actor Ewan McGregor.

Miles Davis was a musical genius, playing the trumpet and composing his own music, and was a pioneer in jazz. His album Kind of Blue made recording history, selling 4 million copies and becoming the best-selling jazz album of all time.

The House of Representatives in 2009 unanimously passed a resolution commemorating the album on its 50th anniversary, “honoring the masterpiece and reaffirming jazz as a national treasure.” While he was not politically active in the civil rights movement that was unfolding at the height of his career, he was a vocal support of black freedom.

Miles Davis died in 1991 in Santa Monica, California at the age of 65. His family is working closely with Don Cheadle in preparations for the film, Miles Ahead, for which there is an Indiegogo crowd funding campaign.

GUEST: Don Cheadle is best know for his role as Paul Rusesabagina in the film Hotel Rwanda for which he was nominated for best actor at the Academy awards. He also has a role in the Showtime sitcom House of Lies, and has starred in two of the Iron Man movies. He will direct Miles Ahead and also star as Miles Davis

Click here for the Indiegogo campaign to raise funds for Miles Ahead.