Biography

Mezz Mezzrow was born on November 9, 1899 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. He was an actor, known for Blue Jasmine (2013), Darker Than You Think and The Moderns (1988). He was married to Johnnie Mae. He died on August 5, 1972 in Paris, France.

Clarinettist. Came from a poor Jewish immigrant family. Noted on the Chicago jazz scene in the 1920's. Formed his own record label, King Jazz, in the 1940's. Moved to Paris in the 1950's, often recording with visiting musicians.

Was strongly opposed to segregation and identified with African-American culture and musicians to the extent of occasionally passing himself off as black.

Was a juvenile delinquent. Gained some measure of notoriety as a dealer of marijuana after moving to Harlem in New York. An early advocate of marijuana as a 'healthy' alternative to hard drugs and alcohol.

He represented USA with his orchestra at the world's first jazz festival which took place in Nice (France) from February 22 to 28, 1948.