Experiencing Interruptions?

Richard Turner: A Life in Music

Jazz trumpeter Richard Turner was putting the London jazz scene on the world stage when he died suddenly in 2011, aged just 27. One of the great talents of his generation, this documentary assesses his life and musical achievements through interviews with his family, friends and contemporaries. Featuring stars of the British and American jazz scenes, including Gerard Presencer and John Escreet, this film aims to preserve and illuminate Richard's musical legacy for a wider audience.

  • Rob Cope
    Director
  • Barak Schmool
    Producer
  • Martin Hummel
    Producer
  • John Escreet
    Key Cast
  • Gerard Presencer
    Key Cast
  • John Morrison
    Key Cast
  • Tom Farmer
    Key Cast
  • Mike Chillingworth
    Key Cast
  • George Crowley
    Key Cast
  • Christine Turner
    Key Cast
  • Round Trip
    Score
  • Claire Cope
    Score
  • Nik Svarc
    Score
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 25 minutes 51 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 1, 2019
  • Production Budget:
    3,500 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom, United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • UK Premiere
    Leeds
    United Kingdom
    April 9, 2019
    UK Premiere
  • Royal Academy of Music
    London
    United Kingdom
    April 11, 2019
Distribution Information
  • Rob Cope
    Country: United Kingdom
Director Biography - Rob Cope

Rob is a freelance jazz saxophonist based in London. He also creates thejazzpodcast.com. Through the podcast Rob realised there was an opportunity to create a film about Richard's life, a remarkable and largely untold story. This is Rob's first film and has been two years in the making.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Richard Turner was a remarkable young man, and to make a film about him was relatively easy as the narrative is so strong. I wanted to tell the story of his life and spread it to a larger audience as Richard was taking the UK jazz scene by storm. Through a series of interviews with his friends, family and peers, I chase down the truth of what made Richard so loved, as well as so extraordinarily talented.