It seems that M. Panassie shares the same passion & taste in jazz with Vian and I am presuming that they may have known each other (being a small world in Paris at that time -especially if you were a jazz fan.) Does his name ring any bells to anyone on this list?
Anyway it seems to be a fascinating document on how a Frenchman feels about American jazz - especially during the early 40's. If someone can bring some info on Panassie, I would deeply appreciate it.
Thanks! -- Tosh Berman TamTam Books http://www.tamtambooks.com
They surely knew each other, but at some point (around 1946?), a split was forced between conservative (Parnassie) and progressive jazz lovers (Vian). Try to find an English translation of Philippe Boggio's biography on Boris Vian, in the dutch translation it says: 'Hugues Panassie would be acused of nostalgia and archaism for many years' on page 78, on page 216 is even suggested that Vian called the older critics Delaunay and Parnassie 'moldy figs and sour grapes' (after old jazz songtitles). Furthermore, the texts mentions Club St. Germain, a jazz club led by the old and the young garde together, also after the old vs new disputes (Vian and others vs Delaunay, Panassie and others), and in this club Vian and Parnassie would have met many many times. Good luck, Remco Takken