Storyville The Jazz Baroness

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Documentary: 'The Jazz Baroness'

Storyville, BBC Four's flagship international documentary department, aired this beautiful documentary about Pannonica Rothschild de Koenigswarter on March 12th, 2010. The film is rare and not available online, so I've uploaded it from my personal collection to my youtube channel for all of you to enjoy.


Pannonica Rothschild was born with everything, got married and had five children, but one track by a man she had never met inspired her to leave and start a new life in America: Thelonious Monk.

Nica first met Monk in Paris in June, 1954, during the 'Salon du Jazz 1954' concert. She was introduced to Monk backstage by a mutual friend, pianist Mary Lou Williams, and remained lifelong friends.

For periods of time, the Baroness supported for Monk, his wife Nellie and his family; she helped get his cabaret card reinstated after it was revoked on at least two different occasions, and provided financial assistance when Monk had trouble finding getting work. Then there was the notorious incident of the drug arrest in Maryland. She took the blame. But whose drugs were they?

In 1972, when Monk became so ill that he needed special attention, he moved into a room in the Baroness's New Jersey home. Nellie came to the house most days to cook and take care of Monk. They both continued to take care of him until his death in 1982.

The exact nature of Nica and Monk's relationship is still a source of fascination. Were they lovers or friends? Was she a patron or a groupie? This film solves the problem by giving the opinions of close friends and his relations.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Storyville
• The
• Jazz
• Baroness
• Thelonious
• Monk
• BBC

[rickstolk]

Amen

[TheJazzydrummer]

Thanks for this!! Nica was a friend of mine, as well as the Monk family. In fact, she was one of my all-time favorite people! He was so down to earth. We shared a lot of laughs (and vodka) together. I miss her dearly! Once, when I was feeling down because I didn't have a car anymore, she promised me her Rolls-Bentley. I never pursued it but I'm sure if I had, she would have left it in her will to me. What a friend!

[TheDelightfulmiles]

"Excellent documentary of the legendary jazz musician Theolonius Monk & high society lady, the adorable Pannonica Rothschild. What a story. Great viewing".

[dstrobel3]

This is amazing footage...I worked out Monk's composition Pannonica from an English folio of his solo tunes...great footage....thanx doug

[XXXGRAPENUTSXXX]

Great documentary....up next Chet Baker's Let's Get Lost!!!

[paganmaestro]

Thank you so much for posting this. Means a lot to me.

[daTruChosen]

@rickstolk I saw this documentary a couple years ago and, as a fanatical jazz lover, was enthralled by it. But it transcends the music, as an endearing testament to the power of love and friendship to endure in the face of racism, classism, and personal demons. Why the Jazz Baroness isn't more well known and acclaimed is beyond me.

[OujiDarkmatter]

What a gorgeous document,thank you so much.

It's so beautiful I can't stop the tears

[tarzan73875]

I just love this documentary Thanks a lot for posting

[JckDupp]

"googaplex"...one step beyond infinity.

[romain415]

just listen...

[Papadooks13]

I've been looking for this ages, really great film. Thanks alot!