Rewind & Play

10/19/2025

Using the rushes from an edition of a French television programme, this rather uncomfortably follows the appearance of acclaimed jazz musician Thelonious Monk on “Profiles of Jazz”. It’s hosted by Henri Renaud, himself a pianist, and what now ensues isn’t the easiest watch. I suppose the elephant in the room is whether or not the interviewer is actually treating Monk in a racist fashion, or whether it’s a combination of the hot-lights, language barrier and a fair amount of bourbon that create an awkward scenario for both. Renaud adopts a style that reminded me a little of David Frost as he leans on the piano, casually, asking questions in English and then translating - and augmenting - in French. This can’t have helped but disassociate Monk from the process, and he never looks like he is i