(Jacques Helian - A taste of Big Band from France)
And now for something completely different.
Jacuqes Helian and his Orchestra (or et son Orchestre if you're so inclined) from February 24, 1947. "Josephine" featuring Zappy Max, Jo Charrier and Ginnette Garcin on vocals.
No doubt, you've probably never heard French Big Band of the 1940's before. Sure, everyone knows Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelly and The Quintet of the Hot Club of France. But Big Band? Probably not.
Jacques Helian (pronounced "eleeyan") was probably one of the biggest names in Jazz and popular French music from the 1930's to the 1960's. He recorded a massive amount of material and was wildly popular all over Europe and South America.
Aside from many of the Jazz musicians who toured or worked in France from the States, he's really not known here at all. None of his records were ever issued here, even though many were issued in French speaking Canada throughout the 1950's. Jacques Helian is pretty much of an unknown in these parts.
So now's your chance.
