So fascinating. Dufty is an interesting character. Worked in the labor movement and later on became a proponent of macrobiotic nutrition. His wife at the time of the writing was Maely Bartholomew. A holocaust survivor who was close friend of Billie’s. I recall she was a political activist. Maely and Dufty divorced. Their son Bevan is currently a San Francisco city supervisor.
Great work Lewis! There is more to the friendship of Billie and Maely. I think some of us like to stick to the fallen hero life story of Billie but it’s not the truth let alone the whole story. She triumphed over many hardships. Billie was a brave person.
Hi Daniel. My understanding is that it was just after that title was chosen for the book, so that they could use it to promote the book. As you suggest, his instrumental piece was originally titled Serenade. I don't know how Holiday and Nichols ended up collaborating on this. I suspect the answer is in Mark Miller's bio of Nichols. All his books are very well researched. THANK YOU DANIEL
I haven't read Szwed's book so it may be in there, but do you know the story of why Gilbert Millstein was chosen to read the book excerpts at the 1956 Carnegie Hall concert and who programmed the concert to be another autobiography of sorts?
Don’t know the answer but a few months later he was the backup book reviewer for the ny times and gave Kerouac’s On The Road! The main reviewer was unavailable and wouldn’t have dug it. The rest is history.
That's true Dave! Hi Cliff, the event was put together by Billie's publisher specifically as a promotion for the book, so somebody at the publisher conceived of the format. I don't think John addresses why Millstein was chosen (maybe he was affiliated with the publisher?), but that info is surely out there somewhere. THANKS CLIFF AND DAVE
In her time and after, she has been portrayed as a victim of her circumstances, but when it came to shaping her career and public image, she had her thing together....
Thanks Lewis! As usual always on it.
Thanks friend! Hope you are doing great!
So fascinating. Dufty is an interesting character. Worked in the labor movement and later on became a proponent of macrobiotic nutrition. His wife at the time of the writing was Maely Bartholomew. A holocaust survivor who was close friend of Billie’s. I recall she was a political activist. Maely and Dufty divorced. Their son Bevan is currently a San Francisco city supervisor.
All very true and good points. Bevan has been interviewed a few times about his childhood memories of Billie, who died when he was 4. THANK YOU DAVID
Great work Lewis! There is more to the friendship of Billie and Maely. I think some of us like to stick to the fallen hero life story of Billie but it’s not the truth let alone the whole story. She triumphed over many hardships. Billie was a brave person.
Absolutely!
I will be playing a recording Billie and Artie Shaw at the next meeting
Was Herbie Nichols' song title changed before, or after, the book was titled?
Hi Daniel. My understanding is that it was just after that title was chosen for the book, so that they could use it to promote the book. As you suggest, his instrumental piece was originally titled Serenade. I don't know how Holiday and Nichols ended up collaborating on this. I suspect the answer is in Mark Miller's bio of Nichols. All his books are very well researched. THANK YOU DANIEL
I haven't read Szwed's book so it may be in there, but do you know the story of why Gilbert Millstein was chosen to read the book excerpts at the 1956 Carnegie Hall concert and who programmed the concert to be another autobiography of sorts?
Don’t know the answer but a few months later he was the backup book reviewer for the ny times and gave Kerouac’s On The Road! The main reviewer was unavailable and wouldn’t have dug it. The rest is history.
That's true Dave! Hi Cliff, the event was put together by Billie's publisher specifically as a promotion for the book, so somebody at the publisher conceived of the format. I don't think John addresses why Millstein was chosen (maybe he was affiliated with the publisher?), but that info is surely out there somewhere. THANKS CLIFF AND DAVE
In her time and after, she has been portrayed as a victim of her circumstances, but when it came to shaping her career and public image, she had her thing together....
Exactly. THANKS DAVID