Gus Viseur

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Joseph Gustave "Gus" Viseur (* 15. May 1915 in Lessines , † 25. August 1974 in Paris ) was a Belgian musette - accordionist , both in gypsy jazz as well as a companion in the French Chanson was successful.

Live and act

Viseur learned the button accordion from the age of eight in Suresnes near Paris and from 1929 played in the group of his father, an amateur musician. After the early death of his father, he first earned his living as a street musician in front of the Parisian cafés before Médard Ferrero accepted him as the second accordionist in his musette ensemble. He also accompanied Louis Ferrari before he was introduced to hot jazz by René "Charley" Bazin and performed in a duo . In 1934 he performed jam sessions on Joseph and Django Reinhardt . In 1935 he founded his own ensemble with which he also played Javas , foxtrot and swing pieces and was already able to record his first records (" Dinah ").

Due to his jazz-oriented departure from the classical ideal of playing the musette accordion, he was able to perform at the Hot Club de France from 1938 onwards, supported by Charles Delaunay , and went on a concert tour with the Quintette du Hot Club de France . His rhythm section was formed by the Trio Ferret with the brothers Baro and Matelo Ferret and their cousin Challain Ferret on guitars and bassist Maurice Speilleux. In the same year the first recording of “Swing Valse”, composed by Viseur with Baro Ferret (with Matelo Ferret as guitar soloist), was made. Viseur also performed with Oscar Alemán and with guitarists from Django Reinhardt's environment; when his brother Joseph founded his Orchester Swing Jo Reinhardt in 1942 , he turned to Viseur. He also recorded with André Ekyan .

Viseur was also in demand to accompany singers such as Edith Piaf (“ L'Accordéoniste ”, 1940) or Jean Gabin . In 1960 he migrated to Canada; In 1969 he returned to Paris, where he recorded the album Swing Accordeon with the Ferret brothers.

The French Grand Prix Gus Viseur , awarded to accordionists, is named after him.

Discographic notes

  • Les As Du Musette: Gus Viseur A Bruxelles (Paris Jazz Corner, 1942–1946)
  • De Clichy à Brodway (Universal Music 1962)
  • Chansons De Paris (Barclay)
  • Swing Accordeon (Vogue, 1971)
  • Gus Viseur - Compositions 1934-1942 ( Frémeaux & Associés )

literature

  • Michael Dregni: Gypsy Jazz: In Search of Django Reinhardt and the Soul of Gypsy. Oxford / New York 2008; ISBN 978-0-19-531192-1 , (especially pp. 54 to 58).

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Viseur, Gus
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Viseur, Joseph Gustave (full name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Belgian musette accordionist
DATE OF BIRTH May 15, 1915
PLACE OF BIRTH Lessines
DATE OF DEATH August 25, 1974
Place of death Paris