Half-Blood Blues

In 1992 Chip visits Sid at his Baltimore apartment, where he lives as a retired bachelor. The two are about to go to Berlin to attend the premiere of a documentary about Hiero at a festival held in his honor. After some friendly banter, Chip indicates that he has something important to say. Sid listens skeptically as Chip tells him that Hiero, long presumed to have died in a concentration camp, is living in Poland, and that he sent letters to Chip. Sid abruptly shows Chip out.

Sid reflects on the musical legacies of his former bandmates. Following the discovery and belated release of “Half-Blood Blues,” the incomplete record Sid saved from the Paris sessions, Chip gained renown as drummer, while Hiero was hailed as one of the all-time great trumpeters; Sid’s career, on the other hand, failed to take off. As Hiero’s playing gained legendary status, various researchers offered differing accounts of his death.

Sid and Chip arrive in Berlin. On the way to the hotel, Sid instructs the cab driver to stop by the historic Brandenburg Gate. Seeing the gate, they realize how much things have changed: “This ain’t our Berlin,” Chip observes (43).

They make their way to the theater, which is full of people who cheer as they enter.