HOW JAZZ FOUND ITS WAY INTO MY FICTION                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

When I decided to write my first novel, Forbidden Circles, it was
my love of the Harlem Renaissance era that made me want to set the novel in Washington, DC, New York City, and Paris, France, in 1925 through late 1926.  But it was my appreciation of Hot Jazz, the jazz music of that era, and also trumpeter Louis Armstrong’s story, music, and major contributions to jazz that inspired me to create a trumpet player named Vernon Cooper for my novel.  Vernon Cooper’s sweet love affair with main character Nora Johnson later turns sour from secrets, lies, and betrayal. Their ended love affair and other events in the plot change Nora's life forever.

     In The Jazz Flower, (a follow-up to Forbidden Circles), which is set in 1930s – ‘50s DC, New York, and Paris, Swing and Bebop are major themes. During her evolution as a jazz singer, central character Rosa Johnson Stills deals with her grandmother’s color prejudice, her own illicit love affairs, and a shocking murder.

   Jazz also informs Whatever It Takes, a contemporary cozy suspense.  In Whatever It Takes, former journalist Carleena Treadwell travels from her North Carolina home to a southern Florida island to complete writing a mystery novel against a deadline. On the island, Carleena meets a handsome doctor and a repulsive handyman, and spirals into unwanted romance and danger. Smooth Jazz is a motif in the story. The island in this story is based on a real life southern Florida island that I visited.

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    My newest novel is set in contemporary Paris, and Classic Jazz figures prominently in its plot.  This novel, which will be published  in 2011, is like my other Paris and jazz-themed novels in that it is informed by some of my own experiences in Paris.                                                                                                                                                                                                          

     Jazz has been important in the places from which I've come       (See "Jazz Music's Journey into My Life and Fiction." ) and in many of the places where I've traveled.  Jazz has therefore naturally found its way into my fiction. 

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                       PARIS: A CINEMATIC FEAST AND                                       AN INTERESTING STORY

The movie Paris is cinematically sumptuous.  Unlike some films shot on location in the City of Light, this movie opens with a gorgeous panoramic view of the city.  And the credits in white letters super-imposed over the sweeping image of the metropolis do not distract from the city's beauty.  Throughout the film, the audience is presented with generous distant and close-up views of Paris neighborhoods, parks, and monuments.  It shows close-up exterior and interior views of apartments, restaurants; meat, vegetable and fruit warehouse markets; as well as a college, civic buildings, a fashion house runway –-the places where its characters live, love, eat, socialize and work.   

    In the movie, directed by Cedric Klapisch, a young dancer named Pierre (Romain Duris) is in need of a heart transplant.  But he is trying to live his life as normally as possible while waiting for a heart to become available.  His doctors have informed him that they do not know whether the transplant will increase his chances of a longer lifespan or not.  

    Pierre’s sister, Elise (Juliette Binoche) who is a single parent, moves herself and her three kids into his apartment to cheer him up and help him should he need it.

    As the story progresses, it is interesting to see how some of the characters’ lives connect with the lives of other characters in the story.  From his apartment window, Pierre discovers and observes a pretty girl through her apartment window across the street from his building.  He thinks she is unattached, and he wants to get to know her.  But he later learns she is dating her boyfriend as well as her grey-haired college history professor, who has a complicated story of his own.

    Elise is interested in the vendor at the fresh fruit and vegetable stand where she shops for food to feed Pierre, herself and her children. The vendor has a poignant story, and he must resolve 

 

 

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his own problems before letting Elise into his life.  

   The actors in this film are engaging in their portrayals of the various characters, some of whom are strong, perceptive and caring; while

others are bewildered and lovelorn; and still others are selfish and neurotic. 

   The story leaves viewers wondering how it all turns out for Pierre.  Does the heart transplant enhance and extend his life or not?  At the end of the movie, he is riding alone in a taxi to the hospital to receive the transplant.  On the way, he’s looking out the window at various places and people.  Finally, with a sad look, he gazes up at the Paris sky, as the scene fades to black and the ending credits begin to roll.

  The movie Paris puts viewers in the City of Light, as it evokes caring for its characters and interest in what happens to them.

________________________________________             Paris - 134 minutes, in French with subtitles.  Contains brief profanity. **********************************************