Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Francis Paudras was born on January 21, 1935 in Chilly-Mazarin, France. While in his early 20’s then an amateur pianist, Francis became a keen follower of jazz in Paris and in the early 1960s he befriended the ailing, alcoholic Bud Powell, one of the premier musicians of be-bop, who had gone to France with his wife, Altevia Edwards, and her son, Johnny. In 1963, with the help of the musician Johnny Griffin, he checked Powell into a hospital, but by then a custody battle emerged between him and his wife.

Powell was diagnosed with tuberculosis, and for the next year, Francis was his caretaker. When Powell was booked for a six-week engagement at Birdland in Manhattan, in December 1964, Mr. Paudras was his advance man, creating a wave of publicity. The run opened to stunning reviews but quickly worsened as Powell slid back into drinking. At the end of the engagement, Powell decided to remain in New York, where he died in 1966.

Paudras later became a friend and supporter of other musicians, including Bill Evans and Jacky Terrasson. Though his devotion to Powell eventually turned into a personal disappointment, he memorialized his friendship in his 1986 book, La Danse des Infideles that was ultimately adapted for the film Round Midnight that same year. He also co-author, with Chan Parker, of ‘To Bird With Love, a book of photographs published in 1981. He also issued recordings of Powell and others through the years, including some he made privately in the early Sixties.

Commercial artist, author, collector of jazz-related artifacts and patron of jazz musicians Francis Paudras passed away by committing suicide at his castle on November 26, 1997 in Antigny, France. He was 62.

More Posts: artist,author,collector,history,instrumental,jazz,music,patron