'Round Midnight 4K 1986

Round Midnight is a jazz movie directed by jazz polymath Bertrand Tavernier and starring prominent jazz musician Dexter Gordon. The title itself refers us to Thelonious Monk's legendary jazz standard of the same name.

The movie follows the friendship of Gordon's character with a jazz-loving, young Parisian Francis, a passionate fan of his work. A lonely and distinctive musician finds temporary family comfort in the company of Francis and his daughter...

As a matter of fact, only jazz lovers can fully feel and appreciate this picture. Of course, an unsophisticated viewer can also admire Herbie Hancock's unrivaled pieces and, of course, the charming Dexter Gordon. His manner of playing was not as brilliant as before, but just as “cool” and temperamental at the same time, his sax making wide, full and intoxicating sounds. Dexter Gordon's character, Dale Turner, is an aging tenor saxophonist who plays at the Blue Note Club in Paris (an allusion to Bud Powell), has a drinking problem and plays mostly sitting down (which is a hint of Lester Young, mentioned several times in the movie), he addresses his friend as “Lady” (as did Count Basie). I must say, the actor Dexter Gordon is superb. His hoarseness, his plasticity, jerky movements, create an unforgettable image of the Artist, tired of the world, but still full of creativity. He repeats often in the movie: “I'm tired of everything but music”....

In the statistical roles of musicians and friends of Dexter Gordon played such legends as Herbie Hancock, Bobby Hutcherson, Billy Higgins, John McLaughlin, Wayne Shorter, Ron Carter and other famous jazz musicians.