PRESIDENT OF BEAUTY
“He put all his soul into a tenor saxophone. He had a way of talking—a language all his own. Life’s story. Love and glory. Won’t you listen as he plays it for you now?”
On a hot afternoon, August 27 2009, I tuned-in to WKCR radio and heard François Postif’s 1959 interview with Lester Young. As one of the creators of cool shared his story, a film unfolded in my mind—Prez strolling past the Eiffel Tower, reminiscing about his life in New Orleans, touring the southern carnival circuit with his father’s band, and walking the mid-1930’s streets of Manhattan with Billie Holiday. His story unfolded within the walls of a small hotel room in Paris.
I reached out to Postif, who had sold the interview to Michel DeLorme. After speaking with Michel, I secured the rights. This one-of-a-kind audio interview, recorded just five weeks before Lester’s passing at the age of 49, would become the narrative arc of President of Beauty.
In 2010, Professor Lewis Porter encouraged me to apply for a research grant from the Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers University. I was fortunate to receive the award. That funding brought me to Woodville, Mississippi—Lester Young’s birthplace.
Fast-forward “many moons” as Lester might say. It’s been a long journey from Woodville to where we are now. I’m happy to report that, with the support of so many colleagues, dedicated interns, and generous sponsors, we have made huge, huge progress.
Joining us on this journey are many notable artists who have given of themselves to honor Lester. Amiri Baraka, Harry Belafonte, Monica Getz, B.B. King, Joe Lovano, Jr. Mance, Lee Konitz, Buddy Rich, Gunther Schuller, Norman Simmons, Hal Singer, and George Wein have all passed. Branford Marsalis, Archie Shepp and René Urtreger are still actively with us. The former Poet Laureate of the US Joy Harjo narrates the film. Together, these voices and stories lovingly convey Lester’s extraordinary legacy of cultural influence — the understanding of which has become more important today than ever.
I wouldn’t be here without the dedication of two key collaborators who joined our filmmaking team almost three years ago. At the end of the pandemic I met Dawn Stockbridge: a lifelong filmmaker, photographer, digital artist, and animator. When I told her about President of Beauty, she wanted to see the 85 minute rough cut. She understood both the significance of the film and the immense commitment required to complete it. Fortunately for the project, she joined the team. Soon after, award-winning editor Christo Tsarias came on board, bringing decades of experience in cutting documentaries and feature films.
Today finds us on the verge of completion. We are nearing “picture lock” with all the story elements in place. The animation is designed and blocked in. We have a new website, PresidentofBeauty.com, where you can follow our progress, and explore outtakes, stories, and deeper insights into Lester Young’s remarkable life. And we have a new trailer, which you can watch below.
All this has been made possible by generous people, like you.
Your tax-deductible donation to the Center for Independent Documentary will fund the final finishing stages that include: tweening for the animated sequences; color grading; audio mixing; foley work; rights to those pictorial audio and literary elements that do not fall under “fair use” practice; and application fees for festivals.
Thanks to your support, this dream is becoming a reality.
My Best,
Henry
