If you love jazz check this out. It is a clip from the movie Round Midnight. Its about the lives of American jazz musicians in Paris, focusing on Dexter Gordon.Notice the young Frenchman who is focusing his gaze on Dexter. In the movie they called him Frenchie. In fact, that was his name, he is a real person. Allow me to share a story with you. It is one of my most endearing memories with one of the greats. The legendary Jazz pianist Hank Jones was a contemporary of the music scene in Paris depicted in the Movie Round Midnight. Having played there himself he was part of American movement in France. I’m not an historian so pardon me if I do not describe this correctly. The following account, however, is absolutely true.One day I was at Mr. Jone’s home. I was sitting at the piano. He walked off to retrieve his mail, having just seen it delivered. He came back into the music room holding an envelope in his right hand while tapping it on the fingers of his left. He mumbled something almost under his breath, yet I knew it was directed to me. “Each and every month for years I’ve been receiving these letters”. I glanced at the envelope and noticed it was an Air France envelope. I got chills. I asked who it was from. Hank replied, “oh, a guy we used to call Frenchie”. My heart jumped, I said, “Frenchie from the Dexter Gordon movie?” He said “yes”. I ask if I could see it. He handed me the envelope. I held it in my hand with total reverence. This time period and these men gave the world a gift, a treasure that shall always be remembered. This Frenchie is profoundly responsible, with very few knowing who he was, what he did, or his name. So, I am now telling you. Frenchie fell in love with this music and those who created it. He knew history was being made right before his eyes and these men where the contributors. Hank explained to me that many of the players received no recognition for their efforts at the time. Once the gig was over and the audience went home, their money, if they even got paid, went to booze, drugs, or was absconded by the ladies. Frenchie did something about this. He made sure they got paid, ate their meals at a table, sleep in a bed, and were not robbed by the women. He stayed in touch with each musician until the end of their lives. Frenchie, I always thought was a great soul, working behind the scenes with no fanfare. Without him the world of music today could possibly be very different. I saw a look of fondness come across Mr. Jone’s face as he carefully opened the envelope. I am careful about sharing stories about certain clients. But it is time to let this one out!
