In this blog I will concentrate mostly on the musicians, but just to mix it up a little, here is a great APPRECIATOR.
Pannonica de Koenigswater
Nica and Monk
Pannonica (also known as Nica) was born in 1913, a member of the Rothschild financial dynasty. Following the break up of her marriage in 1951 she moved to New York and became a patron, friend and fan of many on the jazz scene. She helped those in need pay doctors bills, buy new instruments and get to gigs. She became particularly good friends with Thelonious Monk, who lived with her for much of his life, even taking the rap for him when he was caught in possession of drugs. She used her money and position to ceaselessly champion the music she loved and the people who inspired her, despite the racist and derogatory comments from the press who didn't understand her.
Charles Mingus and Nica
A part of her legacy that I am particularly grateful for is her book; 'Three Wishes'. This is a compilation of candid photographs by Nica and the answers to the question she posed to all her friends:
'If you could have three wishes, what would they be?'
Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Charlie Parker (who later died in her house), Sonny Rollins, Monk and many others all gave their answers, with often funny, sometimes heart warming and always insightful results.
GET THIS BOOK!
And while you wait, listen to this! An Oscar Peterson interpretation of Horace Silver's ode to Nica.
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