Film night: Round Midnight

The Durham Jazz Workahop/Sharp 9 turns into a movie theater to show the iconic film Round Midnight, by Bertrand Tavernier, which features the Acadamy Award nominated performance by Dexter Gordon and a steller cast of other great jazz artists including Herbie Hancock, Bobby Hutcherson, Ron Carter and way more. Herbie Hancock received an Oscar for best film score.

In the 1950s, Dale Turner (Dexter Gordon), a gifted black saxophonist with a drinking problem, leaves behind New York and his estranged family and relocates to Paris. There he plays for a progressive, jazz-loving audience without being judged by his race, and ages quietly in peace. Not intending to turn away from his vices, Dale nonetheless becomes the project of a French fan (François Cluzet) who tries to help him fight his alcoholism, ultimately inspiring both Dale and his music.

Based on the story of Bud Powell and Francis Paudras' friendship with him, and on excerpts of Lester Young's life.

Joining the viewing will be Dexter Gordon's widow and biographer, Maxine Gordon, who will discus her book Sophisticated Giant: The Life and Legacy of Dexter Gordon the following evening, Wednesday, October 23.