11 Facts About Francis Paudras

Francis Paudras was a French musician and author best known for La Danse des Infidels, his memoir of jazz pianist Bud Powell.

Francis Paudras was "a keen follower of jazz in Paris" who befriended a number of jazz pianists including Powell, Bill Evans, and Jacky Terrasson.

Francis Paudras was Powell's carer and manager from 1963 to 1964, when he brought the bebop pianist back to New York after his stay in France.

Francis Paudras took the pianist in hand, nursed him back to health, and protected him from the various social vultures that were always nearby.

Francis Paudras captured hours of footage of Powell, in addition to interviews and recordings of other prominent jazz musicians of the era, which he added to his collection; the videos ultimately became part of Rutgers University's Library.

Francis Paudras was among the personnel of the album Relaxin' at Home, recorded on makeshift brushes at his home along with pianist Powell and bassist Michel Gaudry.

Francis Paudras wrote two books: La Danse des Infidels about the life of Powell, and a book to which he was the co-author, To Bird with Love.

Francis Paudras's home, a castle previously occupied by the Knights Templar, in rural France was a popular destination for jazz expatriates living in Europe including Johnny Griffin, Thelonious Monk, and Bill Evans.

Francis Paudras was himself an accomplished jazz and classical pianist, and a few of his performances during the 1980s were captured on tape.

Francis Paudras gave his record collection, which included studio, live and home recordings of Bud Powell, to the deceased pianist's daughter Celia in 1979.

Francis Paudras died of suicide on November 26,1997, at his home in France following attempts by the French government to confiscate his collection due to a tax dispute.