Charts his up-bringing in the semi-rural slums of Montmartre, life under the Nazi rule of World War Two to his meeting with Django Rheinhardt and the emergence of Swing. His life took in the heady heights of the jazz world of the 1950s and the wide variety of musicians and singers he performed with - Art Tatum, Paul Whiteman, a fresh-faced Nigel Kennedy, and of course Bing Crosby. Unearthing countless rare photographs and memorabilia from his personal archives, as well as undertaking many interviews with surviving friends and musical contemporaries, the author also conducts the last interview before his death, making this the definitive account of this jazz legend's life and career.