Joséphine Baker: Avec! (1969)

Joséphine Baker: Avec! (1969)

[@hectorcosta7951]

Que bien canta y baila la muy ca....😮....que estilo tan particular bailando la bosanova que en esa época se puso tan de moda....me hubiese gustado verla en directo...que Dios te bendiga Josephine❤

[@cittaromap4163]

had the immense privilege and the honor to have worked with Miss Baker in 1975 @ Bobino. I was the youngest dancer in the cast . The show was called “ Josephine “ It was based on her life story celebrating her 50 years in show business from her humble beginning in St Louis to her triumphant comeback to Bobino. She used to call me “ her little page “ (Son petit page )cause of my age ! I just turned 18 th on April 1st 1975. luckily for me I have tons of memorable pics from the show as well as unforgettable stories of this short but amazing run. ! She was extremely engaged with all of the dancers .Wanting to know everyone ‘s names .Josephine really truly care about people She was a true legend immensely talented beautiful ,elegant ,generous , humble and compassionate. Josephine had many lives and reinvented herself many times throughout her long career. Miss Baker had the perfect combination of charisma and humanity . She would bring oranges for the entire company saying “ My children you need lots Vit C for strength and energy “ She was so right cause the rehearsals were long and grueling ,,,. Bobino ‘s stage was too small to accommodate a cast of 8 boys 12 girls 3 comedians 1 little girl who played young josephine and 1 gorgeous dancer who perform the famous banana dance ! So they had to transformed the stage by expanding it including moving the orchestra to the balcony and putting additional seats in the theater and building brand new dressing rooms to accommodate such a big cast all while we were practicing in the lobby of The theater for at least 10 days ! It was bit chaotic to say the list and quite cold being mid -February But no one seemed to care it was so exciting to be part of this legendary show ! Even though None of the big Paris music ‘halls like Le Casino de Paris ,Le Moulin Rouge or les Folies Bergère wanted to take the risk producing Miss baker mostly for insurance purposes There were already rumors circulating of her failing health but a small theater by Paris left bank called Bobino took a chance ...Josephine liked to rehearsed late at night after we were done practicing. She even enjoyed having her favorite dish Spaghetti bolognese around 1 am at a restaurant right across the theater. I was one of the lucky one to have diner with her and only few members of the cast at Jean-Claude Brialy ‘s restaurant called L’ Orangerie where Josephine would reminisce on her career. Saying humbly “Well I was lucky I just had a great body and nice smile “ !!! I Could believe how down to earth she was. I will never forget the very first time I saw her performing once the stage was finally ready. That night She was in the audience watching us dancing with huge smile on her face applauding many times throughout being so proud of the cast. After all she was watching part of her whole life story in front of her eyes. ... In fact during the promotion of the show a French journalist asked her. “ How does it feel to see your life story being played in front you and starring in your own life musical ? She replied “ it’s wonderful At least i will see what they think of me when I am still alive !!!! I When we were done the director Andre levasseur said “ josephine c ‘ est a vous “ she jumped on stage and belt a song from the Brazilian number called” Que c‘est bon de vivre” She seemed to be completely possessed by the rhythm of the Afro Cuban sound very reminiscing of “Princess Tam-Tam “ all those years earlier ...Her moves were so unbelievable. Her body was in perfect shape specially in her Chanel suit !!!! There is No way you would have guessed that this beautiful lady was in her late 60 ‘s. A goddess still !!!! What thrill for me. A true master CLASS ,,,,,, My very first contact with Josephine was when she almost fell from the stairs for the folie Bergere number. I was there to catch her hand very tightly and she gave me a nod and huge smile. Right after she came in the wing and asked my age ? I replied I am 18. She asked does your mom know you are here. I said “she surely does and she is so proud that I am dancing with you “ !!!!!! We rehearsed the show for about 1 month and half . We actually did more than 4 performances. We started with one week of previews on March 25 th special Press night on April 2 Nd. to glorious reviews ! We had another full week of performances with a big opening gala on April 8 th with stars like Grace Kelly’s Sophia Loren & Alain Delon. We had another performance on the 9 th but She felt into a coma on the 10 th and past in the early hours on the 12 th. I was invited to her funeral at l ‘eglise de la Madeleine The service was extremely beautiful and so very emotional I went to Monaco cemetery recently to pay my respect for this Grande Dame 46 years later. Josephine paved the way for the Diana Ross Madonna Beyoncé and many other artists. A true legend. Unparalleled. ❤️❤️❤️. La Bakair Forever. 🍌 💃 🕺

[@louisdewit4429]

She is BEAUTIFUL.

[@112233447ful]

What a beautiful talented woman looking so young ❤❤.

[@tommyd.743]

In 1969 she was 51 years old.... and still beautiful.

[@geraldtyus8645]

She was actually 63 years old at this time.

[@tommyd.743]

@@geraldtyus8645 Your right. Which makes her even more remarkable...and alluring.

[@hectorcosta7951]

I think she was older than 51.

[@hectorcosta7951]

I think she was older than 51

[@VictoriaN72]

Wonderful how her voice and style evolved with each decade.

[@curtismichael4703]

Really enjoying this performance and appreciating her modern look!

[@marcdelente2456]

J admire josephine baker reine du music hall la grande line renaud a apris une grande partie de son métier et a été aidé par la grande et divine femme elle est dans mon coeur je l ai vu en 1968 a l olympia avec mon grand père et ma grand mère qui la suivaient depuis ces debuts. Je me souvien de tout elle était magnifique et tellement gentille avec son publics et elle chantait si bien. Aujourd hui jai 61 ans et je suis très heureux qu elle soit au panthéon car elle fut une grande artiste mais une grande resistante aussi et une femme de coeur. Josephine baker est éternel et intemporel et dans mon coeur pour la vie.

[@TheSusylaine]

1969, à 63 ans, incroyable Joséphine, très à l'aise dans son époque avec une tenue magnifique ! indémodable, elle a un secret de jeunesse ! 1969, at 63, incredible Joséphine, very comfortable in her time with a magnificent outfit! timeless, it has a youthful secret!

[@latanyasmith8481]

Somebody needs to put this in color and show this on television sometimes...

[@therialdaniel2773]

Quelle merveille 💐👍🏻

[@darinharrison6747]

The quality of this video, and the heavenly talent of Madame Josèphine Baker are timeless as if this was filmed in the 1990’s along with her times less style

[@leongardner710]

Wow...what talent n so classy!! She had going on...in a league of her own!!

[@cbreez40]

Think just brings me so much joy..

[@VinzKlortho]

She was 63 here.... she looks like she’s in her 30’s

[@maxwilson4748]

Superb!

[@glendajenkins8308]

Max Wilson yes !!! Eloquence@its best.😊

[@rdsims8809]

Work it Josie, She was well past 60 here and still letting them have it!!! Black American Greatness!!! So, Glad She was recently honored in France because she deserves it!! R.I.P. Beautiful Josephine!!!

[@JEJE2361]

Toujours chouette, josephine 😀

[@warsatdugomier2608]

Très belle jo. rip 💘😁👏🎶💋

[@pamelagonzalvez5801]

La amooo 🥰

[@AnAdorableWombat]

I like this song. Sounds like elevator music

[@hectorcosta7951]

Je ne comprend Pas les paroles...il y a quelqun qui puisse l.ecrire en français....merci bien

[@amidamid2715]

,,,,,

[@franchescacarrasco6351]

She only sang in FRench.....Very little English.

[@allanvalerio6069]

She sang in English as well

[@JEJE2361]

Because France welcomed her from the start

[@franchescacarrasco6351]

@@JEJE2361 SHE WAS NEVER APPRECIATED HERE IN THE USA...