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Les Musiciens de jazz et leur trois vœux
Née à Londres en 1913, dans la branche anglaise de la famille Rothschild, la baronne Pannonica de Koenigswarter - surnommée Nica - connut très tôt une passion sans limites pour le jazz. Elle fut l'amie intime et la confidente des plus grands jazzmen et leur vint en aide sans compter. On sait que, malade, refusant de se faire hospitaliser, Charlie Parker mourut chez elle, et Thelonious Monk y vécut les neuf dernières années de sa vie. Avec son Polaroïd, elle photographia, le plus souvent chez elle, la plupart des musiciens : Dizzy Gillespie, Count Basie, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Lionel Hampton, Bud Powell, Sun Ra, Miles Davis, Charlie Mingus, Sonny Rollins et tant d'autres. Entre 1961 et 1966, elle leur posa cette question ingénue : " Si on t'accordait trois vœux qui devaient se réaliser sur-le-champ, que souhaiterais-tu ? " projetant de réunir leurs réponses souvent spontanées dans un livre. Ce livre, resté inédit à ce jour, le voici, réalisé d'après la maquette originale de Pannonica. Trois cents musiciens répondent à la question. Duke Ellington : " Mes vœux sont simples ! je veux ce qu'il y a de mieux ! " Et Miles Davis : " Mon vœu ? Etre blanc ! " Le 9 décembre 1988, au Service commémoratif en l'honneur de la baronne Nica de Koenigswarter, à l'église Saint Peter's, Clint Eastwood déclara : " Je n'ai connu Nica que peu de temps, mais j'ai découvert une femme remarquable, et en tant que mécène du jazz, la baronne restera dans les mémoires comme quelqu'un dont la vie était indissociablement liée à cette musique et à ses plus grands interprètes. Elle m'a aidé dans la préparation du film Bird, et je serai toujours heureux d'avoir eu l'occasion de la connaître. C'était véritablement une grande dame. " Reconnaissants, les musiciens lui ont, par ailleurs, dédié une vingtaine de thèmes, notamment : Pannonica de Thelonious Monk, Nica, My dream of Nica de Sonny Clark, Blues for Nica de Kenny Drew, Thelonica de Tommy Flannagan...
302 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 30, 2023
A really special book, primarily a photo journal containing never before seen photos. All shots were taken by Pannonica de Koenigswarter of so many well known jazz artists who she had over at her place or captured live at clubs. She asked them all what their three wishes were and there were all kinds of great responses. Money being the most common of course but it was interesting reading Coltrane talk about wishing to feel unstuck in his playing for example or Bill Evans saying he’d like a wishing ring so no need for the other wishes! Highly recommended for the photos alone though the wishes are also alot of fun.
September 23, 2025
A really lovely book. The images are beautifully off the cuff, as are some of the texts but the real sense you get is that everyone involved just feels very comfortable around de Koenigswarter and is able to open up. Some people are goofy, some people are horny, some want to get high, almost everyone worries about money, a lot of them worry their music will never be considered art… And occasionally it’s genuinely moving. Bud Powell clearly is tremendously worried about his health, unsurprisingly, and so many are very concerned about matters spiritual. It’s a genuinely lovely collection
September 14, 2009
"Nica," a Rothschild, thumbed her nose at her aristocratic raising and became one of the greatest patronesses in jazz history. Besides furnishing room to woodshed, offering encouragement and artistic advise, and providing funds, she was simply a great companion to geniuses like Charlie Parker and Thelonious Monk (both of whom died in her residence). When musicians happened to come to her flats and apartments, she loved snapping candid photos of them and recording their three wishes. Selections of both make up this beautiful, simple, moving book. Along with Geoff Dyer's BUT BEAUTIFUL, it is my favorite book about jazz. Truly cool.
Reviewed by:
Phil Overeem
Language Arts teacher
Reviewed by:
Phil Overeem
Language Arts teacher
March 17, 2010
Nica's granddaughter's introduction perfectly conveys the breadth of her grandmother's warmth and generosity. This book of candid photos of Nica's jazz friends is the perfect accompaniment to Thelonious Monk The Life and Time of an American Original. My favorites are of Monk, including a great shot of Monk with Coleman Hawkins revealing the deep affection between the two. Favorite wish is from Dizzy Gillespie: "A world where you don't need a passport."
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July 28, 2011Si vous pouviez réaliser trois vœux, lesquels choisiriez vous ?
300 musiciens de jazz parmi les plus grands répondent à cette question posée par celle qui fut leur amie, confidente et mécène : la baronne Pannonica de Koenigswarter.
Ces réponses, accompagnées des photos personnelles de Pannonica, devaient faire l’objet d’un livre du vivant de la baronne mais les éditeurs pensaient que le jazz n’avait pas assez d’audience pour publier un tel livre…
L’erreur est enfin réparée, vingt après la mort de Pannonica, et, ce livre est l’un des plus touchant témoignage sur ces géants du jazz.
À acheter, lire et relire absolument !
300 musiciens de jazz parmi les plus grands répondent à cette question posée par celle qui fut leur amie, confidente et mécène : la baronne Pannonica de Koenigswarter.
Ces réponses, accompagnées des photos personnelles de Pannonica, devaient faire l’objet d’un livre du vivant de la baronne mais les éditeurs pensaient que le jazz n’avait pas assez d’audience pour publier un tel livre…
L’erreur est enfin réparée, vingt après la mort de Pannonica, et, ce livre est l’un des plus touchant témoignage sur ces géants du jazz.
À acheter, lire et relire absolument !
April 2, 2018
If you love jazz, or you simply enjoy it, I urge you to add this historical document to your library. The photography alone pairs well with bourbon and be-bop, but the content of the desires will entangle you with the history of jazz.
For everyone here wants what we all crave, to be loved, to care for our family, and to have our life sag with the weight of meaning. And for these artists, for these musicians, that meaning is the universal recognition of JAZZ.
While their wishes may not have been fulfilled, the transcription of their wishes reminds us of why we love their contributions so, and why their efforts have not been in vain, and while we must continue listening to them, so long as we can.
For everyone here wants what we all crave, to be loved, to care for our family, and to have our life sag with the weight of meaning. And for these artists, for these musicians, that meaning is the universal recognition of JAZZ.
While their wishes may not have been fulfilled, the transcription of their wishes reminds us of why we love their contributions so, and why their efforts have not been in vain, and while we must continue listening to them, so long as we can.
June 19, 2020
Great must read for jazz aficionados
October 12, 2024
沒讀這本書前，還真的對一般爵士樂書籍不會提及的妮卡夫人，一點概念都沒有。但從書中陳列的珍貴拍立得相片可以觀察出，爵士樂手們和妮卡間，有著最真摯與毫無拘束感的友誼，而受訪記錄的三個願望，則真切地呈現出那個年代爵士所遭遇的不平等，大多數我們熟識的爵士樂手，還是會將財富及健康擺在首位。一本很珍貴的書籍，除了一窺爵士年代歷史外，也認識了許多未必知名但絕對扮演重要角色的爵士音樂家。
February 21, 2015
This book contains an impressive series of photographies done by "Nica" of jazz legends or lesser-known jazzmen in their private time.
Pannonica had asked each of the jazzmen she was interviewing to announce her their three wishes. Most of them are desiring money, fame or peace in the world, however some of them have added to the addition that jazz would be more recognised as part of the American culture or that they would improve the way they play.
Some jazz aficionados wouldn't expect some kind of wishes by some well-known figures of the genre (let's not spoil anything...). and some will smile or even giggle about what they're wishing for.
On some pictures Nica shows such admiration because of the way she looks at them and after them as if she was looking after them until they would learn how to find their ways to exit the nest with their own wings. The intensity of her gaze is so intense that you would think that she was more than a mere protector, but a mother.
In a nutshell: jazz fans, go and take a glance at those great pictures!
Pannonica had asked each of the jazzmen she was interviewing to announce her their three wishes. Most of them are desiring money, fame or peace in the world, however some of them have added to the addition that jazz would be more recognised as part of the American culture or that they would improve the way they play.
Some jazz aficionados wouldn't expect some kind of wishes by some well-known figures of the genre (let's not spoil anything...). and some will smile or even giggle about what they're wishing for.
On some pictures Nica shows such admiration because of the way she looks at them and after them as if she was looking after them until they would learn how to find their ways to exit the nest with their own wings. The intensity of her gaze is so intense that you would think that she was more than a mere protector, but a mother.
In a nutshell: jazz fans, go and take a glance at those great pictures!
March 14, 2009
I found this book to be very inspiring. The photos of jazz musicians are fascinating and their answers as an aggregate give a picture of what the musicians had on their minds during that time period.
May 13, 2013
Fascinating for a someone who loves the music of the jazz musicians the Baroness knew -- especially because the book includes many wonderful candid photos of musicians (most of them taken by Nica herself)
December 22, 2008
A good insight into the racism and prejudices dealt with by jazz musicians in the 40's-60's. Also, some pretty good candid photos.
May 18, 2013
A unique photo essay-style journal that provides an inside look into the private lives of some America's greatest jazz legends of the past.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews