Jazz takes centre stage with Disney Pixar's 'Soul'
Disney's latest animated film stars Jamie Foxx as a teacher who plays jazz in New York night clubs
Last updated 28th Jan 2021
Disney and Pixar's new animated movie Soul tells the story of Joe Gardner, a middle-school band teacher whose true passion is playing jazz, and who sets out on a journey to follow his dreams.
Directed by the Academy Award-winning directed Pete Docter (Up and Inside Out), the movie is set in the modern-day jazz clubs of New York City starring Jamie Foxx as the lead along with Tina Fey and Questlove from the band The Roots.
Who wrote the score for Soul?
The film score was put together by British producer Atticus Ross and Trent Reznor with jazz contributions from the Grammy-nominated New Orleans pianist Jon Batiste.
Hear from Jon Batiste about his role in Soul below:
WATCH the trailer for Disney and Pixar's 'SOUL' below:
When was Disney and Pixar's Soul released?
Disney and Pixar released their new jazz animation movie on the streaming platform Disney+ on 25th December 2020.
The film was originally scheduled for release in June 2020, but because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was delayed until the end of 2020. Instead of a traditional theatrical release, the film premiered on Disney+.
Who was in the cast of Soul?
Jamie Foxx as JOE GARDNER: a middle-school band teacher whose true passion is playing jazz, and he’s good. He dreams of playing piano professionally and has long been waiting for his big break.
Tina Fey as 22: a precocious soul who has spent hundreds of years at The You Seminar, where new souls must meet several requirements before going to Earth.
Phylicia Rashad as LIBBA GARDNER: Joe’s mother, his biggest fan, and his kind-hearted truth-teller. She is a proud businesswoman who’s owned a successful tailor shop in Queens for decades.
Angela Bassett as DOROTHEA WILLIAMS: a world-renowned jazz legend who’s earned her place among the greats. Confident, strong and poised, she is also truly talented when it comes to her saxophone playing.
Graham Norton as MOONWIND: the product of a midlife awakening, which led his former self to change his name and his day job to seek a happier life.
Alice Braga, Richard Ayoade, Wes Studi, Fortune Feimster and Zenobia Shroff as THE COUNSELORS at The Great Before—there are a number of them—are all known as Jerry. Cheery, optimistic and (mostly) all-knowing, the ubiquitous Counselors run The You Seminar very much like camp counselors.
Questlove as CURLEY: one of Joe Gardner’s former students who nurtured his own passion for music into adulthood, landing a coveted spot in Dorothea Williams’ jazz quartet.
New Soul attraction at Disney World
A new ride themed around Soul called The Soul of Jazz: An American Adventure will be opening at Disney World's Epcot theme park in Florida in February 2021. According to Entertainment Weekly, the ride will take guests on a musical tour of America, enabling them to learn about the roots of the Jazz genre.
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