Camus, Sartre and Queneau met up with Vian in post-war Paris jazz clubs because of his friendships with American musicians (he preferred Sartre’s joviality to Camus’ sullenness). Davis and Ellington (a good friend) used him to liaise for them. He introduced Parker to Sartre, and collaborated with Milhaud on an opera. Prévert was a neighbour, Malle a friend, while Gréco (for whom he wrote songs, and introduced to Davis) called him her “incestuous brother”. He was a regular at Duras’ literary discussions, worked for Barclay, and formed a production company with his friend Queneau and his biographer Arnaud.