Marcel Bianchi

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Marcel Bianchi (* 1911 in Marseille ; † 1998 ) was a French jazz guitarist who also excelled as an entertainment musician.

Live and act

Bianchi, who comes from a Corsican family, started playing the mandolin at the age of seven . At the age of twelve he switched to the guitar. He became a professional musician and initially played in the harbor bars of Marseille, where he made a name for himself as La Mascotte . In the mid-1930s he was stylistically influenced by Django Reinhardt and moved to Paris in 1937. After Charles Delaunay became aware of him at a competition, he became rhythm guitarist in the Quintette du Hot Club de France at the suggestion of Louis Vola ; he recorded with him three times in April 1937. In 1938 he appeared on the Grande Nuit du Jazz of the Hot Club de France in a duo with Noël Chiboust .

After the beginning of the Second World War with the occupation of France, he first worked in Vichy-France , before moving to Switzerland, where he made several recordings on the Hawaiian guitar for Radio Geneva . Then he was a member of Jerry Thomas' orchestra. From 1944 he played in Fred Böhler's orchestra , with whom he also recorded. He also recorded with Albert Urfer and between 1942 and 1945 with Jerry Thomas. In 1945 he switched to the electric guitar . In the next few years he played dance music in France with musicians such as Tony Ovio, Jo Reasco, Marcel Pomes, Tony Cossu and Pierre Chaub. From 1950 he took up again for various French labels, including numerous guitar boogies in the early 1950s . He also accompanied singers such as Bourvil , Tino Rossi , Luis Mariano and (with Michel Legrand ) also Bing Crosby . In 1952 he wrote a song for Willy Rozier's film Manina, la fille sans voiles. As a member of Franck Pourcel's orchestra , he played Johnny Guitare in 1956 . On Vogue, he also released a record of Latin American music in the 1950s, Voyage en Amérique du Sud . He played on cruises in the 1960s and then joined Aimé Barelli's orchestra in 1968/69 . He later accompanied the singer Denise Varène with his orchestra, his life partner since 1952 and wife since 1957.

Discographic notes

  • The Swingin 'Guitar of Marcel Bianchi, Swing Sessions 1937–1953 (Djaz)
  • The Exciting Electric Guitar of Marcel Bianchi 1945–1954 (Djaz)

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Bianchi, Marcel
BRIEF DESCRIPTION French jazz and entertainment musician
DATE OF BIRTH 1911
PLACE OF BIRTH Marseille
DATE OF DEATH 1998