‘Round Midnight’ brings compelling jazz story to the screen

“Round Midnight”

Nov. 3, 7 p.m.

William Pitt Union Assembly Room

Set in the Parisian… “Round Midnight”

Nov. 3, 7 p.m.

William Pitt Union Assembly Room

Set in the Parisian jazz scene of the 1950s, “Round Midnight” tells the story of an expatriate saxophone player who struggled with alcoholism.

The film was originally slated to be a documentary but became a fictionalized account of jazz legends like Lester Young and Bud Powell, according to Pitt’s director of jazz studies, Nathan Davis.

Davis lived in Paris shortly before the filming.

While working as a musician in the club where the movie was shot, Davis said he put his expertise to use when the producers needed to replicate the famed Blue Note club.

The location served as the perfect backdrop for “Round Midnight,” but it had closed down years prior.

So Davis suggested that producers rent another club and redecorate.

“They did a d*mn good job. It looked just like it,” Davis said. “The Blue Note was where all of us played. I played with Kenny Clarke there — one of the best jazz drummers.”

Davis said he almost got a part in the film.

Along with Mike Hennessey, the former European editor of Billboard magazine, Davis formed a group called the Paris Reunion Band.

When the producers needed a house band to star in “Round Midnight,” they went to Davis.

But Davis said, “As the movie took on life and they saw more potential, they ended up choosing Herbie Hancock. They went with bigger names, so we just kept on touring.”

Hancock won the Academy Award for best music, original score.

Dexter Gordon, who plays the film’s protagonist, Dale Turner, was nominated for best actor in a leading role.

Directed by Bertrand Tavernier, the film will play as part of the Evening Jazz Week Film and Lectures series.