The story of the successful and talented trans musician Billy Tipton made a splash in the tabloid media in 1989 when he was “outed” after his death. Years after the disrespectful media coverage, directors Aisling Chin-Yee and Chase Joynt are restoring Billy Tipton’s legacy and shining a more reverential light on his story, and the wider trans masculine experience, with their illuminating documentary No Ordinary Man.

Billy Tipton was a jazz pianist in the mid-30s-50s. He made a name for himself in his hometown of Kansas City and went on to tour and record with some jazz’s greatest talents. Through the interviews and insights from a variety of trans media makers and academics, it’s not just Billy’s story told, but the story of many trans people, including the impact of Billy’s story on trans men’s lives.

Billy’s personal life is shared with the audience through the filmmaker’s fictional interpretation; trans masculine actors “audition” with scenes inspired by Billy Tipton’s life. With a lack of existing footage of Billy himself, these interspersed audition scenes create the live action connection to him. As Joynt discusses the scenes with the actors, their personal connections and emotions exemplify how sharing an identity and experiences can cross time and generations.

Discover a part of jazz and trans history you never knew with this captivating documentary which won Best Canadian Feature at Inside Out LGBT Film Festival.

- Tish Chambers

Screening

Friday, March 12 - Saturday, March 13