Entertainment

How Don Cheadle Wrote the Theme Song to His “The Fresh Prince” Spin-Off | Vanity Fair

Published

3 years ago

August 10, 2023

In this “A List” discussion, Don Cheadle sits down with The Black List’s Franklin Leonard to talk about his favorite jazz solos of all time. From Miles Davis’ “Summertime” to Jaco Pastorius’ “Portraits of Tracy,” the actor breaks down what those solos meant to him and how it influenced his life and career. Don also opens up about choosing acting over music, almost getting his own “Fresh Prince” spin-off and what he hopes to see for his future.

SAG-AFTRA members are currently on strike; as part of the strike, union actors are not promoting their film and TV projects. This interview was conducted prior to the strike.

Check out some of Don Cheadle’s favorite jazz solos:
Miles Davis – “Summertime” (Porgy & Bess, 1959) https://bit.ly/3qtme3J
Oscar Peterson – “Tour’s End” (The Essential Oscar Peterson: The Swinger, 1992) https://spoti.fi/45kjbd4
Keith Jarrett – “Personal Mountains” (Personal Mountains, 1989) https://bit.ly/45he654
Jaco Pastorius – “Portrait of Tracy” (Jaco Pastorius, 1976) https://bit.ly/43XNjKd

Director: Alice Park
Director of Photography: Matt Krueger
Editor: Katie Wolford; Matt Colby
Host: Franklin Leonard
Producer: Juliet Lopez, Funmi Sunmonu
Line Producer: Romeeka Powell
Associate Producer: Emebeit Beyene
Production Manager: Andressa Pelachi and Kevin Balash
Production Coordinator: Kariesha Kidd
Director, Video Talent : Lauren Mendoza
Camera Operator: Shay Eberle-Gunst and Oliver Lukacs
Sound : Kara Johnson
Production Assistant: Fernando Barajas and Mike Kritzell
Set Designer: Morgan Roberts
Post Production Supervisor: Edward Taylor
Post Production Coordinator: Jovan James
Supervising Editor: Kameron Key
Assistant Editor: Billy Ward

00:00 A List with Don Cheadle
01:19 Jazz Solo #1: “Summertime” by Miles Davis
04:45 Jazz Solo #2: “Tour’s End” by Oscar Peterson
08:52 “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” Back Story
10:04 Jazz Solo #3: “Personal Mountains” by Keith Jarrett
13:19 Don’s Activism
16:37 “Damn!” Don Cheadle vs. Kevin Hart Reenactment
18:14 Jazz Solo #4 “Portrait of Tracy” by Jaco Pastorius
19:25 What’s Next for Don

Still haven’t subscribed to Vanity Fair on YouTube? ►► http://bit.ly/2z6Ya9M

Want to stay in the know? Subscribe to Vanity Fair Magazine and be exquisitely informed ►► http://vntyfr.com/2RuQGW2

ABOUT VANITY FAIR
Arts and entertainment, business and media, politics, and world affairs—Vanity Fair’s features and exclusive videos capture the people, places, and ideas that define modern culture.

Up Next

Naomi, Cindy, Linda & Christy: The Return of the Supers – Behind the Scenes of the September Issue

Don't Miss

Introducing the Icon Collection | Victoria’s Secret

8 Comments

Vaxdroid

August 10, 2023 at 12:01 pm

Muito bom ❤

Reply
Vaxdroid

August 10, 2023 at 12:01 pm

Like ❤

Reply
Vaxdroid

August 10, 2023 at 12:01 pm

Epico ❤

Reply
Alana Shanah

August 10, 2023 at 12:13 pm

Templeton ✊

Reply
Feroaz Ahmed

August 10, 2023 at 12:39 pm

Yo its a skrull

Reply
- Booming_Systems757
  
  August 10, 2023 at 1:41 pm
  
  ????????????????
  
  Reply
lifewithntokozo

August 10, 2023 at 1:02 pm

I want to physically fight whoever wrote this clickbait title.

Reply
Anderson E. Luís

August 10, 2023 at 1:07 pm

Cheadle been one of the best black actors for like 30 years

Reply

Entertainment

Alex Eala Loves Bad Bunny, The Office and More

Published

2 days ago

September 3, 2026

LAVISHLY DEMURE

At the US Open, Alex Eala talks about her some of her faves.

Still haven’t subscribed to Vogue on YouTube? ►► http://bit.ly/vogueyoutubesub
Get the best of Vogue delivered right in your inbox ►► https://bit.ly/3xAZyQg
Subscribe to the magazine ►► http://vogue.com/subscribe_yt
Download the Vogue App ►► https://apps.apple.com/us/app/vogue-runway-more/id289380413
Check out ‘The Run-Through with Vogue’ podcast ►► https://swap.fm/l/vogue-trt-youtube

Vogue YouTube Channels:

British Vogue: https://www.youtube.com/@britishvogue
Vogue Taiwan: https://www.youtube.com/@voguetvtaiwan
Vogue France: https://www.youtube.com/@VogueFrance
Vogue India: https://www.youtube.com/@VogueIndia
Vogue Japan: https://www.youtube.com/@VogueJapan
Vogue México y Latinoamérica: https://www.youtube.com/@VogueMexicoyLatinoamerica
Vogue Germany: https://www.youtube.com/@VogueGermany
Vogue Italia: https://www.youtube.com/@VogueItalia
Vogue Spain: https://www.youtube.com/@VogueSpain

ABOUT VOGUE
Vogue is the authority on fashion news, culture trends, beauty coverage, videos, celebrity style, and fashion week updates.

Entertainment

If you’re ever next to Owen Thiele on the subway, he’s probably reading your texts.

Published

2 days ago

September 3, 2026

LAVISHLY DEMURE

The cast of ‘Adults’ reveals the truth in the hot seat

Still haven’t subscribed to Vanity Fair on YouTube? ►► http://bit.ly/2z6Ya9M

Want to stay in the know? Subscribe to Vanity Fair Magazine and be exquisitely informed ►► http://vntyfr.com/2RuQGW2

Entertainment

Nicole Kidman & Sandra Bullock Ask Rapid-Fire Questions | Off the Cuff | Vogue

Published

3 days ago

September 2, 2026

LAVISHLY DEMURE

Practical Magic 2 stars Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock answer a series of rapid-fire, off-the-cuff questions. Watch as Nicole talks about her obsession with Dune, Sandra reveals her lifelong passion for comedy, and the two share what superpowers they’d want before putting their Australian and American accents to the test.

Director: Jackie Phillips
Director of Photography: Riccardo Mejia
Editor: Sara Rao

Producer: Chase Lewis
Producer, On Set: Gigi Chavarria
Associate Producer: Lea Donenberg
Assistant Camera: Eduardo Gonzalez
Gaffer: Dmitry Labzin
Audio: Gloria Marie
Production Assistants: Marquis Wooten, Lauren Boucher

Production Coordinator: Tanía Jones
Production Manager: Kristen Helmick
Senior Line Producer: Jen Santos

Assistant Editor: Andy Morell
Post Production Coordinator: Holly Frew
Supervising Editor: Kameron Key
Post Production Supervisor: Alexa Deutsch

Global Video Director: Lauren Mendoza
Executive Producer: Rahel Gebreyes
Senior Director, Video: Romy van den Broeke
Senior Director, Programming: Linda Gittleson
VP, Video Programming: Thespena Guatieri

Vogue YouTube Channels:

ABOUT VOGUE
Vogue is the authority on fashion news, culture trends, beauty coverage, videos, celebrity style, and fashion week updates.