﻿1
All right, Joe,
style="style. default_1">let's try some Pope Dixon.
>Put your hand right there,
>and one, two, three.
Keep playing.
Kate.
We interrupt this broadcast
for the following message
from President Truman, who is giving
an address from the White House.
Joe?
My fellow citizens, at noon today,
I sent a message to the Congress
about the situation in Korea.
Ahem. Sam, take your brother to bed.
. >..talk to you tonight
>-about that situation. - Sam.
And about what it means
style="style. default_1">for the security of the United States.
Let's go, Joe.
And to our hopes
style="style. default_1">for peace in the world.
Korea is a small country,
thousands of miles away.
But what is happening there
is important to every American.
What do you mean you need to go back?
You're just gonna have to get out of it somehow!
You've done enough, Joe! Your leg...
We've been through this. I can't serve if I can't fight.
I got to go and play for the boys. The whole band is going, babe.
I... I don't have a choice.
Shit!
- Well done, Archibald. - That's Charlie Parker, man.
You'll be fine. I'm sure Bird screws up all the time.
Come on, let's go again.
What?
- I blew it. Again. - See, there's your mistake, Arch.
You're supposed to blow it.
Well, I could use a beer.
Joey, where did you get this shit?
It sounds like something my grandma listens to.
Thrift store.
"The Pearls." Jelly Roll Morton. 1935. It's pretty good, huh?
No, Jerry Lee Lewis is pretty good. This... this is pretty stale.
I don't know. I like it.
We can check out Bay River tonight.
I took Jenny Tannenbaum to the Bay last Saturday.
Yeah, we know, Bud.
There's probably a lot of single dames out there.
Come on, Lou. Bay River's getting old.
Chasing beautiful women will never get old, Joe.
Good thing, 'cause you're never gonna catch one.
- I'm out. - Ah!
Oh, shit.
Are we out of booze?
Loser's gotta pick up.
Mmm. if Joe's leaving, I'm turning on the radio.
I think there's some gin left over from a couple of weeks ago.
- Where? - In the bar. He barely touched it.
Yo! Yo! Sammy!
Look at this college boy. Are you back for break?
Tony, this is Gene. She came down for the week.
Hi, Gene. Where you from?
She's from up north. We met at Berkeley. Don't hold it against her, though.
Sam, I don't think I could if tried.
Gene, this is Tony Pacarelli,
Frankie Calabrese, Two-Eye Tallucci,
Rocco the Fish.
And that's Wendell.
Wendell Gleeson.
Pleasure's all mine.
So Richie McGillicuddy decides he's gonna climb the gate to get into the party.
Completely loaded, obviously.
So he gets to the top. He's almost there. I mean, he is so close.
And the guy completely wipes out. Lands right on the family jewels.
But get this, the gate was open the whole time.
It's not your fault you're a ditz, Arch.
Got it.
- Whatever. - No, seriously,
these things run in families. You just inherited the ditz gene.
Didn't mean it, Arch.
- You think Cindy Merkle likes musicians? - Cindy Merkle?
Remind me again.
If she was on a sinking ship, she wouldn't need a life jacket.
Okay, I definitely know Cindy Merkle.
That was "Sleep Walk"
by Santo and Johnny.
What a night here with me,
your man, Big Al Pastor
>on K201, The South Side.
All the young folks out there tonight
might not know the name,
but you old cats
style="style. default_1">will remember Pope Dixon.
That's right, the pope, Pope
Dixon! default_1">Get ready for this.
Turn it up.
>In LA tonight,
playing on Central Avenue
at the one and only Tritone.
Lou, turn it back!
What?
So if you wanna take a trip
down memory lane,
head out there and see Pope play live!
>Boy, I wish I could.
default_1">-Now here's one of my
favorites. default_1">-Hey!
Did you guys hear that?
- Yeah, we saw it, too. - What the hell, man?
- Pope is in town. - Who gives a rat's ass about the Pope?
Not the Bishop of Rome. Pope Dixon.
Who's the Bishop of Rome?
You're an idiot. You know that, right?
- The musician, Pope Dixon! - That's great and all,
but did you have to spill the bottle?
It doesn't matter, all right? This is more important.
- More important than booze? - Look, Joe, I know Pope's your idol,
but I have to talk to Cindy Merkle tonight.
Cindy will be in LA for the rest of her life, Lou.
Pope is in town for one night only. This might be the last.
- I mean, who knows? He's getting up there. - Joseph, Cindy is newly single.
All right? The clock is ticking.
There are dozens of young, eligible bachelors like myself
going out tonight for one reason.
You mean two reasons.
Okay. But seriously, how are we gonna get more booze?
- It doesn't matter. Pope is in town. - No!
We need Sam if we wanna keep drinking.
What are we waiting for? Sam's at Heart's, isn't he?
If we're gonna get a cab to Central, we'll have to head that way anyway.
Uh, listen.
You guys might need hooch to go out, but I can woo Merkle stone-cold sober.
That's your fourth beer.
Unlike you, Bud, I can hold my liquor.
What?
Cindy's gotta be at Heart's.
- You just saying that? - No.
I'm sure of it. Everyone is back in town.
You think she's with a guy?
I don't know. Probably not?
I gotta know if she's with a guy. All right?
I can't walk in there with a plan and then she's standing there with a guy
then I'm standing there looking like a real ass and I've got nothing to do.
Jesus, Lou. You writing a book?
- Bud, you think she's with a guy? - No.
- I bet she's with five. - Come on, Lou.
She's probably by herself.
You won't know unless you go.
How's my hair?
♪ Well the night's still
young default_1">Twelve o'clock ♪
♪ Me and my baby's
style="style. default_1">Gonna rock, rock, rock ♪
♪ Come on, little baby
Come on, sweet mama ♪
♪ Come on, little baby
style="style. default_1">Everybody's rockin' tonight ♪
Hi.
Damn it.
It's just healthy competition, Lou.
♪ Come on, come on... ♪
Hey, Sam, what's up?
Well, hey, Joe. What can I get you, son?
- I'm all right, just, uh... - Uh-huh, yeah?
I was wondering if you heard anything about Pope Dixon
playing on Central tonight.
What the hell do you want?
Uh, well, your genius brother just broke our only bottle of booze.
That's a damn shame, Archie.
Hmm.
I knew you played the piano.
I didn't know you were a fan of the classics.
Oh, of course. Dixon's a legend.
Oh, yeah.
You know, if I didn't have to work so late, I'd go see him with you.
This damn rock-and-roll music is messing with my head.
- Have... have you ever been to Central? - Oh, yeah. I've...
Mmm, must be 10 years ago now.
We used to go to this club called the...
the Tritone.
And then after that we'd go to the Dunbar.
The old Dunbar Hotel. Oh, you should have seen it, Joe.
It was the finest black hotel in the country.
- All the greats stayed there. - Mmm.
Your mother know you're going down there on a Friday night?
Uh, of course.
Of course.
You know, I have an excellent ear for bullshit, Mr. Grover.
Okay, look, I'm just trying to have a little fun, okay?
Joey's talking about going to Central Avenue
and I'm not going down there unless I've got... booze.
Yeah. Oh, yeah.
I was a professional bullshitter once upon a time.
Yeah.
- Mr. Hubbard. - Hey, Sam.
- Will you excuse us for a moment? - Oh, of course. Just be good.
Your moron friend seems to think you're all going to South Central tonight?
Yeah, yeah, I don't know.
Thinking about going to see Pope Dixon tonight.
Here we go again with this shit.
Come on, Sam. The guy's my hero.
And he's in town, all right? He's never in town.
You really think that's a good idea? You on Central Avenue?
At night? "The Four Stooges"?
- It's The Three Stooges. - What?
> ♪ No, no, no, no... ♪
Bud!
- Bud! >-♪ No, no, no, no ♪
♪ I never will forget ♪
- We'll be fine. - I'm serious, Joey.
Anyway, weren't you supposed to be grounded this weekend?
No.
No, that was last Friday.
Taking advantage of Ma 'cause she's out of town.
I'm not.
- I swear. - Garby!
♪ I never will forget ♪
Come here, man.
Hmm.
Hey, uh, boys, this is Clarence. He likes to be called "Bud."
- He's Deborah's little brother. - Oh, Debbie.
Mmm. Debbie, Debbie, Debbie. Mmm.
Look, I got the good fortune of making sure you don't die this weekend.
So that means your ass is either home or on the can.
- Sam, come on. - Why is it so damn urgent?
I'm sure Pope will be back in LA sometime.
You don't understand. Pope's getting older.
He's not gonna be around forever, and when he goes, jazz goes with him.
- Just tell me this isn't about... - It's not.
Hey. Uh, hey.
I... Can you buy me a beer?
Look around you.
This, this is where you wanna be. Huh?
This girl right here keeps looking at you.
Go talk to her.
Merkle?
How's college treatin' ya?
Just swell.
How's high school treatin' ya?
Swell.
Any plans this evening?
You know, just seeing where the night takes me.
Yeah, definitely.
Me, too.
Silly.
Default_1">♪ Hey, hey ♪
> ♪ Hey, hey, hey ♪
Default_1">♪ Hey, hey ♪
> ♪ Hey, hey, hey, hey ♪
♪ Hey, hey, hey, hey... ♪
Mmm.
Hey, you wanna try some of this, Bud?
- What is it? - It's, uh, "tin." You know, dip?
- Chew, chaw, lippers. - Thank you, Glees.
You just throw in a pinch...
and it's smooth sailing.
-♪ My baby ♪
style="style. default_1">-♪ I know my baby... ♪
Do you wanna maybe...
hang this evening?
I don't know.
Maybe.
Uh, ahem...
Okay. Come on, Mr. Hubbard. I know you keep beer back there.
Archibald, I have known you your whole life.
I know that you're 17. What would your mother think?
She'd understand. She drinks all the time.
Cindy, you've had a boyfriend for three years.
You're cute,
you have a decent personality, but you're no Monroe.
Let's be honest.
So why don't we just have some fun tonight, huh?
You think you're real suave, don't you, Dewey?
Louie.
That's what I said.
Dewey.
What, you feelin' it yet, Garby?
I got...
Yeah, I think he's feeling it.
Oh! Oh, no!
He upchucked in the glass.
You can go, thank you.
Let's get out of here, Archie.
- Back here at 11:00, right? - Sounds good.
- What the hell, Bud? - Told ya he couldn't hold his liquor.
- Ugh, what is that? - Is that chaw?
Don't worry, I'm all right now.
Yeah. Take a stick, please.
Gonna need this for later.
You know, maybe we all could go get a drink on Central.
If my dad knew we went to South Central, he'd...
I don't know, I don't wanna know.
If we all went down to Bay River, as usual, what's to find out?
Mmm, I gotta be back here for Merkle.
Come on, let's check it out. Let's do something different, for once.
I mean this is the Pope Dixon we're talking about.
Archie, Donnie Hodges played with Pope.
Bud, Wellman Broad was in his band.
And Cooper might be there, too. They all might.
Fine.
But she better be here when I get back.
Oh, no, she's probably running for the hills as we speak.
- We're just playing with you, Lou. - Guys, guys! Hey! Hey!
Central Avenue.
- Quick, go! Go! Go! Go! - Joey!
- Is this the Tritone? -
You think I come here often?
There's this sign
style="style. default_1">that says "Central Avenue."
>That's what you asked for.
Can you maybe just drive a little while
- and I'll let you know... - I ain't no tour guide, kid.
Get out!
Where the hell are we supposed to go?
Well, we're not going that way.
That's where we gotta go, right there.
This is just swell, Joe. Great Friday night.
We just gotta find someone who knows where this place is.
Wait.
- Excuse me, ma'am. Uh... - Oh, Lord.
Ma'am, do you...?
- Do you know where the...? - No. No, I don't.
Okay, well, Bud's right. We should go that way towards the lights.
I'm sure he's down there somewhere.
It always takes you guys so long to figure out I'm right.
And when have you been right, ever?
I called the rise of Fidel Castro.
I called > Gigi winning Best Picture.
I called the Dodgers beating the Sox in six.
You had the Sox in four.
You literally said the Dodgers would never win in LA.
That was before Sherry went off.
- I can keep going. - Please don't.
Hey, these guys look our age.
Hey, hey, excuse me?
Hey, guys, do you, uh, do you know where the Tritone is?
The Tri? What is this, April Fools?
We, uh, heard Pope Dixon is playing there.
- Pope Dixon? - Come on, y'all. We're gonna miss Otis.
- Who's Otis? - Johnny Otis?
Oh, this is just sad, man.
You know R&B?
Do these cats look like they got any rhythm or blues?
Just the blues, I guess.
Let's roll out, man.
Let's go.
When I get my hands on that kid...
He's not a kid, Sam.
You don't know my brother, Gene. He's gonna get killed.
Unless I find him first and kill him myself.
Shit!
You watching this?
I already gave it a quarter.
Gimme one of yours.
Hey! What the hell are you doing?
Look, I need to borrow your car. I'll be right back.
My ride's in the shop. It won't take long.
- Sam... - I promise.
Sam, no one drives "The Bagel" but me.
Hand them back.
Right now.
Yeah, you're real tough.
How do you feel about a trip to South Central?
Why are all the movies these days about the end of the world?
There's default_1">The Night the World
Ended, default_1">The Blob,
>Attack of the 50-Foot Woman.
You forgot Default_1" >The Wasp Woman.
They made a flick about Archie's mom?
Guys, I thought we agreed no more mom jokes.
Guys.
That sounds promising, huh, Joe?
You think that's him?
It's got to be, right?
- Do you see Pope? - I don't think so.
Ah, finally!
Thank you.
Whoo! Man, this place is hopping!
Thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
We, uh, take a whole lotta pride in this old joint right here.
- Oh, that's right. - Uh-huh.
Old man opened the doors at the start of the Crash.
And, uh, as you all know,
Central ain't what she used to be. Well...
well, sometimes good things pass.
But, uh, we like to think, uh...
this place here ain't changed much since '29.
Now, uh, we might be closing down next year, but...
Oh, hold on now, hold on now. But the music ain't stopping.
- Whoo! - Come on now!
When the toes still bopping, the music ain't stopping.
That's what I'm talking about.
- We gonna go all night. - That's right!
We gonna go all mornin'. Hell,
we are gonna go 'til the globe stops spinning,
'til the kids stop kissin', 'til the old man in the sea stop fishin'!
What y'all know about that?
Can you hear me now?
Can you hear me?
And, um, on that note, I wanna call up two cats.
Two cats I call my guy and my girl, my rock and my pearl.
Ava and Clifford Moore!
Come on out here.
We hope we do this one justice.
One of my favorites, written by Erroll Garner and Johnny Burke.
- Oh. - It's got to be "Misty."
Default_1">♪ Look ♪
♪ I want y'all to look ♪
Default_1">♪ Look at me ♪
♪ I'm as clueless as a kitten
Up, up in a tree ♪
♪ It feels like I'm clinging to a cloud ♪
> ♪ I don't understand ♪
> ♪ I get misty ♪
> ♪ Holding your hand ♪
Default_1">♪ Mm-mm ♪
> ♪ Walk my way ♪
♪ Ooh, a thousand violins, la la
la default_1">Begin to play ♪
♪ Might be the sound of your
hello default_1">This music I hear ♪
> ♪ I get misty ♪
♪ Whenever you're near ♪
♪ You can see that you're leading me on ♪
Bud. Bud!
♪ But that's just, but that's
just default_1">But that's just ♪
♪ What I wanted you to do, babe ♪
♪ Don't you notice
style="style. default_1">That I'm hopeless, I'm lost? ♪
♪ That's why I'm following you ♪
Default_1">♪ Oh ♪
Default_1">♪ On my own ♪
♪ When I wander
style="style. default_1">through this wonderland ♪
♪ I'll be taking a long journey ♪
♪ Never knowing
style="style. default_1">My right foot from my left ♪
♪ Nor my hat from my glove ♪
♪ Mmm, I get misty, I get misty ♪
Default_1">♪ Oh ♪
♪ Misty and too much in love ♪
♪ Oh, Lord, I'm in love ♪
> ♪ Oh, I get misty ♪
Default_1">♪ Oh, yeah ♪
default_1">-♪ Oh, yeah ♪
default_1">-Whoo!
Default_1">♪ Oh-hh ♪
Like my mama once said...
> ♪ I get misty ♪
♪ And too much in love ♪
- Yeah! >-♪ Yeah, yeah, yeah ♪
Ava Moore!
- So, what do you think of my wheels, doll? - Hey, what did you call her?
What? I couldn't hear that, Sammy. What'd you say?
Easy, Sam, all right? I'm a big girl.
Oh, oh. Hey, hey,
it's just playground talk. You know what I mean? It's just...
Hey, so you didn't answer my question.
I'm more of a Ford girl, myself.
These Italian models are a little
"style. default_1" >slick for my taste.
I know you don't mean that.
I think that maybe you just need to try it out sometime.
What?
Maybe they know where he is.
Come on.
Hey, uh, sorry to bother you,
but you guys were really something up there.
Thanks.
- Is it okay if we, uh...? - Yeah, go ahead.
Ahem. I'm, uh, I'm Joey and this is Bud.
Hey.
We're jazz musicians, too. We both thought you were great.
Thank you.
So, what brings you two down here tonight?
It's just, uh...
We wanted to hear some jazz.
Do you guys happen to know if Pope Dixon is playing tonight?
Uh, yeah. You missed him.
Yeah, I think he's heading to another club.
Do you know where?
I'm not sure. Clifford?
I'm pretty sure it's the Cage Bird.
We can go there later.
- Did you see him? - Yeah, we saw him.
How was he?
He was...
He was Pope.
Why?
Nothing, man.
Yeah. I know, it's weird.
A couple of white guys into jazz down in Central.
Oh, no, not weird at all. Way too common, in fact.
- What do you mean? - Clifford.
Don't listen to my brother. He can be a bit of a downer.
Yeah, right, ignore the "negative Negro."
If you two are such big jazz fans, tell me this...
How did it start? In the beginning.
Um...
In New Orleans, right?
It was a mixture of African and Creole...
Jazz is the product of one thing, and one thing only.
Slavery.
Minstrel shows and shit like that.
That's what you see when Pope Dixon is up there.
Happy, positive Negro smiling, putting on a show for the white folk.
You know, things ain't changed much in this country, now.
Not really.
That's not what I see when I hear Pope,
but I guess I never thought of it like that.
Of course you didn't.
Even black people don't think of shit like that.
Yeah, but we're not just watching. I mean, we play, too.
The music matters to us.
Lots of people swing different from Cliff. Don't let him get to you.
Now...
Jazz is a thick smoke.
It's a smooth rye, it's a medicine.
It's a path that gets us through the forks of life.
Gets us through the struggle.
It's passion.
It's love for each other.
It's happiness and pain.
Exactly.
Jazz is great when it has that pain behind it.
They've never been through that struggle.
You really think you've been through Pope Dixon's struggle, Cliff?
Well, you're right.
We haven't, but...
you just got to keep working until you get that shot, you know.
And you don't have to take it from us.
You see Pope tonight, ask him what he thinks.
So.
You two are in a band?
- Yeah. - Yeah.
Us and our two other friends. They're, uh, around here somewhere.
- And what do you play? - Bass.
And Joey plays piano.
This guy is gonna be the next Mingus.
- Oh, is that right? - Mm-hmm.
Well, obviously, I'm nowhere close to Mingus, but...
You know Mingus' stuff?
- Mingus? - Yeah, yeah, of course.
Give me one second.
What's he doing?
You'll see.
- You boys ready? - For what?
Guess we ain't done just yet.
We got one more request.
We, uh, we're gonna bring up a couple of rooks to jam.
These boys right here.
What's your name, son?
Joey.
Joey. What do you play, Joey?
Piano.
We got Joey on piano.
How about you, killa?
Bass.
Mighty unusual name for a young man, "Bass."
- What the hell did they do now? - Uh, Bud, I play bass.
Bud plays the bass.
Uh, my son will join as well as the lovely Clara Brown on trumpet.
Here's some of that new, local Mingus for y'all.
Come on.
All right.
If these cats can't play, Cliff, it's coming out of your allowance.
Come on, now.
Let's go, Joe.
Why don't you come on down front, killa? I want everybody to get a good look at ya.
Come on down!
Here's your shot.
Go on.
Oh, the kid on the drums is fast.
- He's no Krupa. - No, he's faster than Krupa.
Whoo!
Do you see them?
Sam, can we find this dweeb and get out of here?
Found him.
- Great, go get him. - Shut up!
What the heck are they doing here?
What the fuck was that?
- I'll get him, and you get him. - Okay.
Whoo-hoo! Yeah!
Yeah. All right.
Sorry.
- Hey, hey, Joe, Joe, we gotta go. - Hey, yeah.
What are you doing? You're supposed to get Bud.
- I thought you were getting Bud. - Shit.
Guys, we'll go out the back, all right? Come on.
Wait, where is he?
Hey, Bud! Meet us at the next place!
- Thank you! Thank you! - What the hell?
Y'all leaving?
Bud's gonna meet us at the Cage Bird,
that's where Pope's playing.
- Where's that? - Uh, I don't know.
All these places are around here somewhere.
It's fine. We'll just keep walking this way.
Christ, Joe, do you see where we are right now?
Somebody wanna explain to me what we're doing right now?
Sorry. I just gotta...
I had to get away from those guys.
Bad news. They're trying to take us back to Pasadena.
- Wow, that'd be so terrible. - We lost your friends.
They're going to the Cage Bird.
You mind showing me where that is?
If it... if it's not too far or if it's, uh...
- I get if it's crazy. - Yeah, why not?
What about Pops?
I mean, we just left the whole band back there.
The set's over. We're always coming and going.
Let's go.
You guys hear what Joey said up there?
He said, "Meet us at the next place."
Oh, "the next place." That's fantastic. We all know where that is, right?
They couldn't have gone far. Let's go this way, all right?
Yeah, you go that way. I'm gonna go to the car.
Yeah, fine. We'll be able to look for 'em a lot easier in the car.
No, no, we are not looking for your stupid punk brother anymore, Sam.
We're going to Bay River.
If we don't find Joey, you came all the way out here for nothing.
I don't give a rat's ass about Joey. He's not my problem, okay?
You're a real piece of work, you know that?
- Will you give us a minute? - Sam?
- You got it... - Tony, give me a damn minute, please.
Gene, look, I think you should head back to my place.
We can call you a cab and I can meet you after I get Joe.
I get that you're annoyed with your brother.
Gene, you don't understand.
I don't wanna argue about this right now.
Did you see your brother's face up there?
Have you ever really watched him while he played?
I mean, really watched him?
Let's go!
When he was on that stage, he was home, and he was free and he was happy.
I think you know that.
So I'm staying and we'll find them.
But...
just don't come down on him so hard, okay?
Tony, it's okay, you can go. We're gonna look for him on foot.
Fine, fine! Fine.
Thirty minutes, then I'm gone.
I don't wanna drive around with you two all night.
Let's find 'em quick, then.
I can't believe we let you talk us into this.
- Let's just get a cab and go home. - Feel free.
I'm gonna see Pope Dixon play tonight.
Yeah, well, I prefer to see Merkle in my bed.
Okay, come on, Lou, it's not that bad here.
You can't seriously tell me you're okay with this, Arch? This place stinks.
Shut up, Lou!
Shut up for one minute.
I'm not just saying this, but you sound like Etta James.
Better, maybe.
I mean, your voice is so powerful and silky and...
- Uh, it's just so effortless. - Did you say "silky," man?
You did not just say "silky."
- That's nice of you. - Are you kidding me?
After we get there, we're dropping you off and we're heading back.
You know, I... I don't know why we're doing this in the first place.
Damn. "Businessmen."
- Are they a gang? - They're a club.
Just don't look over there, man, it's already embarrassing enough.
Why, are they your pals?
"They your pals?"
- Do they look like my pals, man? - Clifford!
Enough with the damn attitude!
- How's he supposed to know? - He doesn't know shit!
Coming down here for one night just to get a fix?
That's all it is, Ava,
- to say that they came here once. - Clifford.
- You know, you're acting like a real... - Like a real what?
Do you think you're the only one who's got it bad?
Quit acting like this world is out to get you.
And stop hating on these boys just 'cause they're white.
- What if a cop sees you with him? - I can protect myself.
You won't be the only one in trouble, Ava.
Let's just get off the street and into this damn club.
Almost there, Bud.
Hush, now.
Joe, come on.
Joe...?
- Oh, what is he doing? - Excuse me, ma'am?
Do you mind telling us where the Cage Bird is, please?
Man, we're not gonna find them. They're long gone.
They gotta be around here somewhere.
Well, here we are, about to get shot.
Maybe they just got a cab and went home.
They did not go home. And we're not gonna get shot.
Hey, what is that?
Oh, I got it at the club. The bartender gave it to me.
It's a guide.
It lists all of the safe places in LA for colored people.
The only other jazz club in walking distance from the Tritone...
is, uh, the Cage Bird.
Three blocks up that way.
- Joey! - Is he here?
You missed him, man, I'm really sorry.
Hey, where is he?
He went back to his hotel.
You said I missed him. You saw him?
Sorry, man.
Only the last minute or so, and then he bailed.
- Damn it. - Joe!
I'll take a whisky.
So why Pope Dixon?
What?
I said, why Pope Dixon?
He's the best.
That's it?
He was, uh...
my dad's favorite.
Not just that.
He was practically his hero.
He taught me to play.
I knew my dad wanted to be a famous jazz musician someday.
He used to say,
a good band was like a flock of birds,
and...
and improv was like a bird leaving the flock just for a minute.
But it always came back.
I, um... ahem...
Ava and I went through something similar.
My mom.
She was a singer.
Passed away not too long ago.
Hey, you ain't half bad on the keys, man.
- Yeah. - Yes!
That's... that's blues.
What the hell are we still doing here if Pope's gone?
That's who you wanted to see, right?
We're here. Might as well enjoy some jazz.
Some of us have places to be, Joey.
Then go!
No one's stopping you, Lou.
I can't leave by myself.
Maybe we should talk in private, Joe.
I don't mind.
What's going on, guys?
He's pretty great, huh?
- I said, he's pretty great, huh? - He ain't bad.
I can't go by myself because I don't wanna get shot or mugged.
You really think this place is dangerous?
People getting shot?
It's >us that are getting shot, man.
Oh, right. The cops are the dangerous ones.
What the hell's the matter with you, Lou?
Look, whatever, all right?
These people here...
are trying to listen to some jazz.
Screw these people. And screw jazz!
Why are we still playing jazz music?
Every girl I meet, it's an embarrassment.
I can't explain it to them other than my friends are trying to be black!
All right, it's definitely time for you to go.
Okay, wait here, all right?
I don't wanna scare them off like last time.
I don't believe this shit. Is this because of Cindy Merkle?
You love jazz.
You guys thought I loved jazz,
I've just been waiting for you to catch up.
- This looks bad. - Nah, I'm sure it's fine.
Hey, Gene.
Sam's a really sweet guy, I get it, but he's a loser.
Why don't you let me take you down to Bay River, huh? Hmm?
Get off me!
- Jeez. - What are you doing?
Seriously, Lou, either shut up or get the hell out of here!
I went along for the ride.
We're going back to Heart's! Now, let's go!
You're being a goddamn child.
Look who's calling me childish... The nigger lover.
Back off.
Say that again, man?
Hey!
Hey, y'all. Come on, now.
What y'all doing? Get up!
Coming in here, causin' trouble. Go on out!
Get on out! You, too! Come on!
- Hey, back off! - Leave! Go on! All of you!
Acting like you crazy in here! What's wrong with you?
- Stop it! - Come on, man!
You guys are embarrassing yourselves.
- Enough! - What the hell happened in there?
- Man, ask your friend. - Hey! We're not all like that.
- What are you talking about? - I'm tired of this goddamn place!
Lou?
- What in God's name? - It's time to go, sis.
Hey, look, I'm sorry we caused all this trouble, all right?
It's time for everyone to go home before the cops show up.
- Come on, Joey, we're leaving. - I'm not going.
Oh, Jesus Christ, Joe! He's gone. Just give it up, already!
It doesn't matter, all right?
Look, I'll go to the hotel, to the Dunbar. He's probably playing there!
- Insane! - We've come this far!
How many times do I have to tell you, Joe? It's not safe here!
You know, I've heard enough of that shit, man.
So have I!
I'm going home, Sam, okay? I'm going home.
Yeah, I'm going with you. You got a car, right?
Yeah, whatever. Let's roll.
- Hey, just give me a second, Tony! - I've given you hours, man!
And now I'm late for Merkle, so I'm gonna go.
What... Cindy Merkle?
Yeah, that's the one.
Move your ass. Come on!
All right, Ava, let's go.
What happened in there?
He...
he called you a nigger in front of my face, okay?
And he stood up for him.
No, I didn't hear him say that.
- I saw you punch him! - Clifford, please!
I didn't even know he was like that, none of us did. And I...
I just... I've really enjoyed getting to know you.
Both of you. And...
I know we made a mess of things tonight but I don't want this to end.
- Not like this. - Pfft, save it, man.
Do whatever you want, Ava. I'm going back.
Maybe you guys should just call it.
I'm really sorry, Gene. I...
I didn't mean to...
I saw a pay phone on the corner. I'll go try to call a cab.
Joey, I get it, all right? I do.
But you got to move on.
Don't tell me to move on.
We're not the only guys our age who like jazz.
You can chase Pope Dixon across the entire city,
but it's still not gonna bring Dad back.
It's not about that.
You should go with your girlfriend.
Seriously, go.
For the cab ride back, but I guess I can't force you.
Garby, Radbourn.
Well, I'm...
I'm gonna go grab my jacket.
Uh...
Ask somebody where the Dunbar is?
Ahem.
We're not going to the damn Dunbar.
Are you sure? Just now?
I'm such an idiot, Bud.
I dragged us all down here, and for what?
Even if we did see him,
and you guys even wanted to come,
it was all for me.
You think I wouldn't kill for a chance to see the king of jazz?
- That Archie wouldn't? - Louie doesn't give a shit.
- Who cares? - That's for sure.
Come on.
Let's go check out the Dunbar.
- You never know if Pope's still there... - What's the point?
If he's there, he's...
he's probably passed out.
I bet that he's there,
playing in some back room.
He probably doesn't stop until the sun comes up.
Yeah. Well...
Somehow I doubt we'd be welcome in "some back room."
- Or anywhere around here after tonight. - Well, you could talk to him.
You had that question you wanted to ask him.
Except I already know the answer.
Clifford was right.
I have no idea what that's like, Bud.
And I have no business trying to be like them.
You've been through some pretty tough times, Joe.
- Yeah, nothing like that. - Losing your dad is pretty damn tough.
Hell, I don't know how you do it.
You are the bravest kid I know.
And the most stubborn.
And you're damn good on the keys, and you know it.
God, I don't know.
Yes. Yes, you are. There is passion when you play, man.
There's feeling, and that, that is what makes those guys great.
So, the bartender told me where the Dunbar is
and he said never to come back.
And he, uh, he told me my fly was down.
Which it was.
So, what do you say, Joe?
What about Ava and Clifford?
Archie and I will go back to the Tritone. See if we can make peace with Clifford.
- Are you sure? - Yeah.
Uh, well, it's, uh, it's only a couple of blocks down there. Yeah, see that sign?
That's the Dunbar.
All right.
But you gotta go straight back to the Tritone after.
And, uh...
and if you meet him, if he's there,
- you'll know what to say. - Thanks, Bud.
Hey, hey, tell him we said hey, too.
I didn't play, boy.
He's all excited, you know, playing with Pres.
After the gig he comes up to Pres and says,
"Pres, when was the last time we played together?"
Pres looked at him, "Tonight."
Something I can help you with, son?
I'm, uh... I'm...
My name is, uh, Joseph Grover. I'm a big fan.
Thank you.
You, uh... you here all by yourself?
I'm... I'm with some friends. Just down the street.
Mm-hmm.
I... I just...
I love jazz.
I love the history,
and I grew up listening to you and your orchestra.
It was guys like you who inspired me to start playing.
Oh, you play?
What do you play?
- Piano. - Piano?
Piano man.
Well, uh, piano man, you, uh, you not from around here, are you?
No. No. Uh, Pasadena.
My father, he grew up in Manhattan.
He said he saw you once... In Harlem, at the Savoy,
and then once again here.
He... he said you were the best.
Look, I...
I just wanted to talk to you, so I could, um...
so I could ask you something.
Well...
if you take any longer asking, I might not be here answering.
I just...
Breathe, piano man.
I wanted to ask... I wanted to ask if you...
if you think it's possible to be a great jazz musician
even if...
even if you haven't...
been through the...
the struggle.
Like, if you weren't born in Harlem or Chicago or Kansas City,
if you didn't have to deal with the stuff that...
that you and the other greats dealt with.
Let me get this straight,
so I'm clear.
You standing there, shivering, asking me
if you have to struggle to be great? Or...
are you standing there, shivering,
asking me if you have to be
"style. default_1" >black to be great?
Here's the thing.
I played with a whole bunch of white cats.
Great ones, you hear me?
Great ones.
Did they all struggle? Maybe.
I don't know.
You had to struggle, you ain't had to struggle,
but you can't go around looking for bad times.
You do that and you're trampling on folks
who ain't got no choice.
Folks who have to get up every day and fight.
You hear me? Only you know if you got a fight.
But you asking the wrong question.
The question you should be asking is,
what good is a great jazz musician in this new world of ours?
Huh?
Jazz, as we know it,
is...
a memory.
The word "jazz" has been abused, beaten and raped,
just like the word "art,"
because expression has been given liberty
to express shit and call it gold.
You know, they... they'll call the decade that killed jazz "the '60s."
What good is this new generation
if they don't even know the classics anymore?
Your friends, your buddies around the corner?
Well, they're all rock 'n' rollin', aren't they? Mm-hmm.
And your parents, well, they're sitting up in the living room with a cocktail,
watching the boob tube,
and you're sitting up here talking about jazz.
Son, sometimes you just have to accept reality
and move on.
Do you know what I'm telling you?
I'm telling you that you was born in the wrong decade.
That answer your question, piano man?
Yes, sir.
Thank you.
He'd be proud.
Let's get the other guys, huh?
Hey, Joe, Sam.
- Everything okay? - Yeah.
What's going on?
Oh, Bud's saying bye to Ava,
and I was waiting on him and then I was gonna come find you guys.
But, uh, was he there?
No. He wasn't.
It's all right, though.
You guys ready?
Taxi!
Pasadena.