Ali trained with pianist for role

Actor plays famous AfricanAmerican classical musician in latest film

Oscar winning actor Mahershala Ali, who plays an American pianist in the upcoming film Green Book, trained with the film’s composer Kris Bowers to prep for the role and get into the skin of the character.

“I wanted to see what it felt like to sit on the piano bench and try to have the dexterity the character obviously has to have, although I knew I wasn’t going to get close to that,” Ali says. The film has several piano-playing and concert scenes. “I wanted to be around the music, around the piano and pick up on things.”

Bowers, one of the music industry’s most respected young pianists, appreciated Ali’s level of commitment to playing his character. He booked an hour at a Steinway showroom for their introductory meeting, which turned into a three-hour session. “Mahershala is pretty awesome,” Bowers says. “He has a laser focus when he’s trying to do these things.”

The American comedy drama is based on a true story of friendship and relationship between a working class Italian-American bouncer, played by Viggo Mortensen, who becomes a driver of an African-American classical pianist, played by Mahershala Ali, on a tour of venues through the 1960’s American South.

The film is not a biopic but is inspired by the true story about the friendship between Dr Donald Shirley, an erudite African-American pianist and his white chauffer Tony Lip. The film is named for The Negro Motorist Green Book, usually referred to as The Green Book, a segregation-era road travel guidebook to help African-Americans dealing with racial discrimination issues

PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK Composer Kris Bowers Actor Maheshala Ali