They called him a genius. I remember Symphony Sid broadcasting from Birdland and in his inimitable gravel voice would announce his next record... "And now ladies and gentlemen we give you the genius of Bud Powell." Back then I wondered if they weren't just throwing the label around a little too promiscuously. But indeed, Bud Powell truly was a genius of music.
In "Dance of the Infidels" a book about the period in Bud's life that was managed by the author and guardian of this genius, we come away understanding that which comprises the makeup of a musical genius. Had it not been for Francis, Bud would not have been able to exist in the everyday world where he was truly alone and the victim of man's dark side in the nature of cruelty toward each other.
"Dance of the Infidels" is, in the true sense of the word, a love story in it's purest form.
Anyone who saw the film, "Round Midnight" will immediately remember the protagonist, Francis Paudras, in which the film, loosely based on Bud Powell's life was portrayed.
The genius label that Francis Paudras defends comes from the creation of a new form of music that Bud created. The book makes a remarkably convincing case that it was Powell and not Bird that changed Swing to Modern Jazz Music. Granted, this is a highly debatable issue. But who can deny the neglect that Bud Powell has suffered in the history of this great music? His name hardly comes up in the company of Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie. Undeniably, this is too obvious an oversight for history to perceive.
If there should ever be a Saint elected by the Vatican for the jazz world, it would have to be Francis Paudras. Unlike even Bud's contemporary musicians, who regarded this genius as a crazy man, alcoholic and incompetent, Francis had the sense that this man was very special and should be treated as such. Francis had put his own life on hold only to see to the needs of his idol. Their relationship became a tender and loving one where trust was something that was not to be trampled upon. Bud Powell had recovered, under the care of Francis, from alcoholism and tuberculosis, and as a result, had some excellent and productive years both, physically and in the output of his music.
"Dance of the Infidels" is filled with many wonderfully warm passages about the relationship between Francis and Bud. Francis fully realized the stature of this man and saw to it that he would receive comfort and peace of mind as long as he was able to give it. Bud truly looked to Francis at every corner for guidance and control. It wasn't until the Early Sixties when they came back to New York City for a major return to Birdland that the Jazz Community finally acknowledged the love and spiritual guidance that Francis Paudras had extended to the genius.
This is a wonderful book for the Jazz Fan or
anyone else, for that matter, who believes that man is capable of
doing wonderful things out of self sacrifice and a true belief that
goes beyond the obvious. Francis Paudras was a remarkable man. I
think we all would like to identify or do as he has done. This is a
book that will stay with the reader for the long term and can teach
us how to respect that which is fragile, delicate and all too
valuable to ever begin to think of destroying.
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