French jazz
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
(Photo by Walery)
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France has a long history with jazz music.
Jazz began to become significant in France starting in the 1920s. As with Brazil (see Brazilian jazz), the French were at first concerned it was too American of an influence before "making it their own." Although in the case of the French the adjustment proved faster as by the 1930s jazz had become acceptable. An important event in that is the creation of the Quintette du Hot Club de France in 1934. This is among the most significant jazz groups in European history.
Starting in the late 1940s the Le Caveau de la Huchette would become an important place for French and American jazz musicians to work. Many American jazz artists have lived in France from Sidney Bechet to Archie Shepp. These Americans would have an influence on French jazz, but at the same time French jazz had its own inspirations as well. For example Bal-musette had some influence on France's form of Gypsy jazz. In a related vein violin, and to an extent guitar, were traditionally more popular in French jazz than American. Related to that Jean-Luc Ponty and Stéphane Grappelli are among the most well-respected violinists in the history of jazz. That stated the violin is also popular in Eastern European jazz.
French jazz musicians
- Franck Amsallem
- Josephine Baker (1906–75)
- Michel Benita
- Claude Bolling
- David El Malek
- Stéphane Grappelli (1908–97)
- Olivier Hutman
- Christian Jacob
- Michel Legrand
- Charles Lemaire
- Didier Lockwood
- Jacques Loussier
- Bernard Lubat
- Pierre Michelot (1928–2005)
- Bernard Lubat
- Xavier Desandre Navarre
- Michel Petrucciani
- Jean-Michel Pilc
- Jean-Luc Ponty
- Django Reinhardt (1910–53)
- Henri Renaud
- Martial Solal (born in Algeria of French parents)
- Erik Truffaz
- Christian Vander
- Barney Wilen (1937–96)
References
- Making Jazz French: Music And Modern Life In Interwar Paris by Jeffrey H. Jackson, (Duke University Press, 2003) ISBN 0-8223-3124-1
