A rare original contact sheet still showing Emmanuel Paul on the 26th of October, 1972, for the filming of "Live & Let Die"
Emmanuel Paul, affectionally known as ‘Manny’, was born on the 2nd of February, 1904, in the Carrollton District of New Orleans.
He was an American jazz musician, hailed by many as one of the greatest saxophone players from New Orleans.
His passion for music came late into his life, starting with the violin which he began playing in 1921 for his local church, the Broadway Baptist Church. The resident pastor recruited other young musicians, helping them to acquire instruments and they soon formed a band who performed regularly for the local community. Later, Manny learnt to play the banjo and he performed alongside his cousin who was a talented pianist until 1933, when he had to temporarily pause his musical endeavours during the Great Depression. While balancing his work during the day and music at night, Manny became a multi-instrument talent and played the piano, clarinet, drums and banjo for several local bands. A couple of years later, he borrowed his first saxophone from a pawn shop and this marked the beginning of a lifelong love affair.
After continuing to perform a variety of instruments in several bands during the 1930’s and early 1940’s, including Kid Thomas and Henry Harding’s ten-piece band, he eventually joined the Eureka Brass Band in 1945, which was led at the time by Dominique ‘T-Boy’ Remy. With them he released several records in 1951, 1954 and 1963, performing songs including ‘West Lawn Dirge’, ‘Lady Be Good’, ‘Down in Honky Tonk Town’ and ‘Whoopin’ Blues’. He remained with the group until the 1960’s and ultimately became one of the first tenor saxophonists to become a regular performer in the New Orleans jazz scene.
Following the official musical opening of Preservation Hall in 1961 by Allan Jaffe, Emmanuel instantly became a regular and often played with Kid Thomas and his Algiers Stompers. This led to several tours of Europe and some album releases with the European Jazz Macon Club label. During a very busy period of his career, Manny also became a key figure with the Olympia Brass Band during the 1960’s, which was led by Harold ‘Duke’ Dejan who also previously performed with the Eureka Brass Band. With them he released his first record in 1968 with ‘New Orleans Street Parade’, followed by further European tours, one of which was recorded and released in 1969. Several years later he was involved in one of the group’s most iconic moments on the big screen, when they were showcased internationally in the James Bond adventure “Live & Let Die” in 1973. Unfortunately, due to the shooting schedule, Emmanuel was not in the final version of the film but there are a number of production photos of him on one of the days of filming.
Having recorded countless records with some of the greatest names in jazz, Emmanuel was regarded as one of the finest saxophone players of all time. He continued to perform regularly until his mid-70’s when he finally retired.
Emmanuel Paul passed away on the 23rd of May, 1988, aged 84.
In "Live & Let Die", the iconic Olympia Brass Band were a real life band, who led funerals in the city of New Orleans.
Emmanuel Paul was a key member of the band and played the tenor saxophone. Following extensive research by The Bond Archives, it has been confirmed that Manny was only on the set with the band on Thursday the 26th of October, 1972, whereby filming for the day had to be abandoned due to inclement weather.
The rare contact sheet still below shows the band who were present on that day, including Manny who can clearly be seen.
Filming was rescheduled for Thursday the 9th of October, 1972, and it was these shots that were used in the film's final cut. Unfortunately, Manny was unavailable for that date and was ultimately replaced by another saxophonist.
The autograph displayed below is on the LP 'Kid Thomas and His Creole Jazz Band Sonnets from Algiers - New Orleans - The Legends Live - Volume 3' (1967).
It is signed 'Emmanuel Paul - Ten. Sax'.
Autographs from Emmanuel Paul are usually always found on vinyl covers and concert programmes. He is considered extremely rare on photographs.
The Bond Archives is the first source to clarify Emmanuel's involvement with "Live & Let Die".
The saxophone player who replaces Emmanuel for the second filming date remains unidentified.
"Live & Let Die" is not his only film appearance. He featured in the 1955 travel documentary style production "Cinerama Holiday" alongside Papa Celestin at the Old Absinthe House in New Orleans.
DISCLAIMER
The Bond Archives & Bond Autograph Archives are in no way attached or officially associated with EON Productions, Danjaq LLC, United Artists Corporation, Columbia Pictures Industries, Sony, Universal Pictures, Ian Fleming, Glidrose Publications Limited or Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. All film titles, character names, photographs, screenshots and other information which may be copyright protected are used as a reference only. All autographs, props and private interviews displayed within the Bond Archives & Bond Autograph Archives are owned and exclusively displayed by the Bond Archives, unless stated otherwise. No material found within this website may be removed, copied or reproduced in any form and by any means, without express written permission by the Bond Archives & Bond Autograph Archives.
All related James Bond trademarks
© 1962-2024 Danjaq LLC, EON Productions Ltd, MGM Inc. and United Artists Corp.
All rights reserved