Jazz in France (interwar years)

Location · 1917-1939 · Paris · Swing and big bands

Having arrived in France with American troops in 1917, jazz settles into music halls, dance halls and casinos; as early as 1923, Fred Mélé opens the way for "French jazz bands" inspired by Paul Whiteman and Jack Hylton. In the 1930s, the orchestras of Ray Ventura and Grégor blend jazz orchestration and French chanson.

Where it comes from

• Symphonic jazz, dance orchestras
• Swing, big bands

What it gave rise to or influenced

• Hot Club de France, Gypsy jazz
• French jazz

Artists

• Ray Ventura (1908–1979, piano, conductor)
• Grégor et ses Grégoriens (1898–1971, conductor, vocals, dance)
• Bill Coleman (1904–1981, trumpet)
• Max Geldray (1916–2004, harmonica)

Tracks to start with

• Tout va très bien, Madame la Marquise — Ray Ventura et ses Collégiens (1935)
• Doin' the Racoon — Grégor et ses Grégoriens (1929)

Sources

• Transatlantic Cultures : Ray Ventura

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