Bonnie Greer is an Anglo-American author, playright and critic living in the UK who often appears on radio and TV discussions; one of the few rational commentators who brings calm and sense to politics and current affairs. Greer did this recently when David Dimbleby and just about everyone else on Queston Time relished in cornering the BNP leader Nick Griffith and changing the format of the program to their own advantage. Greer was unusually quiet as she sat with her back to him.
I didn’t know Greer was a jazz fan, but it’s not surprising. I went to hear her in the Purcell Room at the London Jazz Festival on “‘48 Davis meets Greco”. I was expecting a discussion but instead heard readings in American from Miles’ autobiography and in French about Greco. Julian Joseph improvised adequately on piano while Cleveland Watkiss made musical sounds on voice, which I didn’t care for. I feel the same way about Bobby McFerrin once you get over the novelty.
Most of us know the status of Miles as a musician and composer. Unless you’ve read his book and speak French, you probably don’t know much about Miles and his early love life. He thought and played music incessantly and didn’t expect to get any “higher”. He hadn’t started using dope or heroin then.
We were told that Miles’ first orgasm was with his girlfriend, Irene. Although he cared for her, music remained supreme until he met Juliette Greco in Paris in ‘48. Miles, aged 22 was playing opposite Charlie “Bird” Parker in a setting that out did the Royal Roost in NYC. Miles used his finger to signal Greco to come over to him. He was overwhelmed by his feelings for her, an intensity he hadn’t experienced before, not even in his music. They fell in love despite neither speaking each others language, just knowing and touching. Afterall, Miles “don’t talk too much, anyway”. Something other than music dominated his life for the first time.
Unusually, Miles came from a well off educated black family in East St. Louis, MO. His father had three degrees and was a dentist. His grandfather was a succesfull book keeper from Arkansas and landowner. Greco was from an entirely different culture of Boris Vian, Satre and the existentialists of Paris. A chanteuse mixing in a world of bebop and race. Satre asked Miles “Why don’t you and Juliette get married?” to which Miles replied “Because I love her too much to make her unhappy.” He knew he couldn’t take her back to the USA. Miles sank into a depression and used heroin for four years.
Greer’s hour at the LJF was sparesly attended. I have no idea why she thought it was worthwhile reading about an intense love from a long and extraordinary life in jazz.
I’d rather hear Greer’s thoughts and listen to Miles’ music, like Bitches Brew, than to be a voyeur.
