Ethan Hawke has long been a touchstone of cinematic proficiency, right From his soul-searing performances in “Dead Poet’s Society” and “Training Day” to his astutely emotional journey in Richard Linklater’s flinty “Before” trilogy, his talent courses across genres and characters, painting every scene with unforgettable hues.
One can even say that the standard for entertainment had risen drastically upon the advent of his career.
Aside from his acting career, Hawke possesses an impressive talent for playing the trumpet, showcasing his creative range beyond just delivering lines.
One wonders how deep Ethan Hawke’s multifaceted prowess goes—from being a unique actor and entertainer to a music maestro. Is there something else we don’t know about him?
The rumors surrounding Ethan Hawke’s musical talent have sparked questions about whether he plays the trumpet and how skilled he is.
Interwoven into the fabric of many actors’ lives, like Hawke, are the threads of hidden talents and passions outside the ordinary mirage of their on-screen performances.
This multifaceted nature of their talents often adds depth to their identities while offering them new avenues for self-expression.
While many may not be in tune with the music, they do possess other seemingly unimaginable expertise that just adds variety to their own personality; of course, we see this in the likes of Justin Bieber, who solves complex maths puzzles in one minute, Angelina Jolie, whom many aren’t aware is a certified pilot with actual Flying experience, or Even Neil Patrick Harris, who Sings, Dances, and does magic tricks.
With all this in mind, it’s not impossible anymore to imagine Ethan Hawke, the celebrated actor, deeply lost in a melody, playing soulful notes from a trumpet.
Ethan Hawke’s Passion For Music
Regardless of his achievements on the silver screen, acting and bringing your most daring imaginations to life, Ethan Hawke identifies as an artist and a genuine music lover.
His interest in music, particularly jazz, seeps into his performances and choices in roles. However, his engagement with music can be easily traced back to his portrayal of the legendary jazz musician Chet Baker in the film Born to Be Blue (2015).
Ethan’s performance as Chet Baker not only added the necessary spice to the movie but also gave him a platform for expression and to show his God-given talent.
But contrary to what many would think, Ethan’s Interest in music did not originate on the spot while preparing for the role of Chet Baker. Though he had only utilized that avenue to learn how to play the trumpet, his interest in music takes this Journey much deeper into his childhood years with his stepfather.
In an interview with Evan Smith, Ethan pointed out that before the movie, he had begged his director for a couple of months to hone his trumpeting skills, stating to Evan that he had only messed around a couple of times with Jazz instruments and had never really looked into it.
Like many other of his films, the movie “Juliet, Naked” (2018) paints a picture of a washed-out rocker, further showcasing Hawke’s ability to connect with characters that carry foundational ties to music. Moreover, “Seymour: An Introduction” (2014), a documentary Hawke directed, also loops back to his interest in music.
Most recently, in the film Raymond & Ray (2022), Hawke’s love for music, especially jazz, is once more evidently displayed.
Even more so, Ethan’s love for music extends beyond the silver screen. He covered Willie Nelson’s “We Don’t Run” with his daughter Maya Hawke, allowing audiences to glimpse his musical inclination.
Is Ethan Any Good in Music? What Do Critics Think?
Is Ethan any good at music, or is it just in our heads? For many, the answer will tilt in favor of the Actor, but amid the flashy scenes of Born to be Blue and the outstanding biopic, Dwight Brown of the National Newspaper Publishers Association confesses that the musical element was one of the many factors that pierced through the scene, coursing across every visual effect and resonating with the audience.
In his words,
“I did it my way...” No, Ethan Hawke doesn’t sing those lyrics in this faux bio/film about jazz great Chet Baker. But judging by his thoroughly convincing performance and writer/director Robert Budreau’s impressionistic screenplay and artsy direction, that was their mindset during this movie’s production. Convey the feeling of Baker’s existence, not a blow-by-blow, song-to-song, drug-to-drug retelling of his infamous life. They follow their instincts, which lead them to a very creative place.
As you watch Chet Baker (Hawke) flounder and struggle for a comeback, you may wonder what on screen is real and what is a concoction. Ignore that impulse. Let his story unfold. Everything will seem plausible enough. Credit Budreau for setting a dreamy mood that depicts the 1950s in black and white and the 1960s in just a few sparse colors (art direction Joel Richardson). The moody cinematography (Steve Cosens) and production design (Aidan Leroux) add atmosphere. The alluring trumpet playing (Kevin Turcotte) and score (composer David Braid) grip the soul. Go back in time to the sweet pocket of the jazz era.
https://dwightbrownink.com/born-to-be-blue/
Ethan Hawke’s trumpet playing has stayed long enough in discussions, primarily because of his portrayals of musicians in films rather than his actual skill with the instrument.
While many critics haven’t independently assessed his trumpet abilities, Robert Burdreau’s choice not to use a master recording of Chet Baker’s Trumpet playing but to rely on Hawke depicts that Hawke’s trumpet skills are top-shelf material.
Regardless, while Hawke painstakingly prepared for the role and took trumpet lessons, he didn’t play the instrument’s complicated pieces in real-time in the movie.
Kevin Turcotte produced the audio for the trumpet performances in the film. Hawke concentrated on mastering the trumpet’s physical act so he could realistically mimic Baker’s movements and postures while playing. This doesn’t nearly dispute his proficiency in playing the trumpet, as Ethan Hawke indeed does!
Celebrities like Ethan Hawke, who pursue different talents and passions, bring versatility and diversity to their craft. When actors explore a passion outside of acting, they can adopt a new skill and immerse themselves more deeply into the character they are portraying, resulting in a higher level of authenticity in their performance. This is why actors need to explore their passions beyond acting.
Celebrities like Tom Cruise and Joseph Gordon Levitt are known for their dedication to performing their stunts. For example, Tom Cruise learned to skydive without a harness for his role in “Mission Impossible: Fallout,” while Joseph Gordon Levitt learned to walk on a tightrope for his role as the French artist Philippe Petit in the 2015 film “The Walk.”