Born in Lyon, France, in 1941 to Nazi-resistance parents, Bertrand Tavernier and his morals were molded firmly at a young age. He was also committed to the arts early, expressing a desire to make movies at age 13.
Tavernier’s early films, though, were mostly mysteries and drama, like his 1974 directorial debut, The Clockmaker.
But social commentary would become central to Tavernier’s later films. Most memorably to American audiences, his 1986 story of a forgotten jazz man in Paris, ‘Round Midnight.
After contentious discussions with producers, Tavernier insisted in casting jazz legend Dexter Gordon in the lead role as Dale Turner. He also invited Gordon to advise him on the script.
Tavernier also cast Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, John McLaughlin and Bobby Hutcherson to play the musicians in the band. Hancock would go on to win an Academy Award for his score for the film in 1986.
The two-part release of the music from the film included the last recordings of Dexter Gordon, who himself earned an Oscar nomination for his acting.
Tavernier died in March, just before his 80th birthday.
You can explore Tavernier's varied cinema artistry in the recent documentary he directed, “My Journey Through French Cinema.”
But jazz lovers will always remember him for ‘Round Midnight.
