GARDNER’S QUESTION TIME

Jamie Foxx talks jazz, improv and Bambi

Who do you play in Soul?

Joe Gardner is a music teacher with a burning desire to play in a big jazz band. Finally, he gets an audition and he kills it – but then he falls down a manhole and he is no longer with us. He floats into this spiritual world where souls are created, and he’s mystically picked to teach people about the value of living life on Earth.

What does jazz mean to you?

I absolutely love jazz. Who doesn’t like John Coltrane and Miles Davis? Or even someone like Herbie Hancock, who revolutionised jazz. Right now, there’s a huge jazz resurgence in LA. People of all ages love it. Music, man. When it’s played right, no matter what genre, it will always touch you.

Is there room for improvisation in the recording booth?

I’ll ad-lib and they’ll go, “Nice! But can you read the script?” It’s funny… They didn’t like that shit at all, but they are fantastic in their writing and they know what they are doing. They know there’s a certain rhythm needed. They are listening out for a sweet spot. They know it when they hear it.

What are your thoughts on animation?

Growing up, I watched lots of cartoons. I loved all of the greats, like Bambi, but it wasn’t necessarily always movies. I loved Tom And Jerry, The Jetsons and other cartoon shows, too. Animation has always been in my life and I love the technology involved. So it’s been amazing to watch this all come together in Soul.