Bebop Baroness....

Written by Moreen Murray
You have to love a film festival that feeds its patrons in line and has free samples of items like beauty products – at least in my experience. I should also mention that the Toronto Jewish Film Festival, which begins on April 19th, is known for screening great jazz documentaries. One I am looking forward to is “Jazz Baroness” about the legendary patron Baroness Pannonica de Koenigswarter – a member of the storied Rothschild clan, British branch.

Created in 2008 by her great niece Hannah Rothschild it explores the incredible relationships and mutual admiration between the glamourous baroness and her musician friends – a who's who of the jazz elite of the era including Charlie Parker and most significantly Thelonius Monk.

Born Kathleen Annie Pannonica Rothschild , Pannonica or “Nica” as she was known inspired several jazz tunes including Monk’s “Pannonica”, Gigi Gryce’s “Nica’s Tempo” and one of my all time faves Horace Silver’s “Nica’s Dream”. Her exotic history includes a marriage to the Baron Jules de Koenigswater, a French hero of the resistance, and working for Charles de Gaulle during World War II.

After moving to New York in the 1950s, and already a jazz fan from her teens, she would hold jam sessions in her hotel room. Known also as the “bebop baroness” her contributions include writing liner notes to Monks’ “Criss Cross”. A true supporter, she opened her home to Bird - the place where he drew his last breath and a home and refuge for Monk and his family when he retired from performing, plus took the rap for a drug possession charge. Imagine what perceived social and racial barriers she crossed in 1950s America – a white woman from a privileged existence hanging out with jazz musicians. When asked why, she reportedly said “I just dug the music”.

The film is narrated by the fabulous Helen Mirren and interviews include Quincy Jones, Sir John Dankworth and Sonny Rollins, family members, writers and critics. By all accounts she also had an interesting childhood with a renowned scientist mother whose interests ranged from dragonflies to tennis competition. Part of her incredible legacy is the fact she documented her life and prestigious friends as a photographer. Recently a book was published – not seen as saleable in her lifetime - “Three Wishes – an Intimate Look at Jazz Greats”, where her circle of friends is asked for their proverbial three wishes and the answers are an interesting and insightful read.

She passed away at age 74 on November 30, 1988 but lives on every time you hear a tune in her honour. Reportedly named for an Eastern European plain, Monk claimed she was actually named for a species of butterfly – I like Monk’s version of the elegant soul whose passion brought beauty into many lives.

The film screens at the Al Green theatre on Monday, April 19th at 2:45 p.m. Contact http://www.tjff.com/ for more details on the other fine films being screened.
http://www.jazz.fm/content/view/3176/178/