Clément Doucet
Encyclopedia
Léon Clément Doucet was a Belgian
pianist
.
Doucet studied for a time at the local Conservatoire, where his teacher Arthur De Greef
had been a pupil of Liszt. Although his formal training was classical, he traveled to the USA around 1920 and by his return in 1923 had developed considerable talent as a jazz pianist. His left-hand technique in particular is clearly influenced by the stride piano
style prevalent in New York in the early 1920s. Some of his arrangements are still played today, for instance Chopinata, a jazz tribute to several of the great works of Chopin.
Shortly after returning to Europe he became the house pianist at the popular Parisian cabaret Le Boeuf sur le Toit
where he succeeded Jean Wiéner
. He and Wiéner subsequently formed a piano-duet partnership which lasted on and off from 1924 until 1939. Together they performed in over 2000 concerts and made over 100 recordings of hot dance, jazz, blues and classical music, as well as a small number of sides in which they accompanied leading French chansonnier
s of the day. These include ten sides by the duet with Maurice Chevalier
, and others, solo, with Édith Piaf
and Yvonne George
(Wiéner) and Jean Sablon
and Germaine Sablon
(Doucet).
After the war Wiéner went on to a notable career as a pianist, composer of film music and broadcaster; Doucet never recorded again and died, probably of chronic alcoholism, in 1950.
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
.
Doucet studied for a time at the local Conservatoire, where his teacher Arthur De Greef
Arthur De Greef
Arthur De Greef was a Belgian pianist and composer.Born in Louvain, he won first prize in a local music composition when he was only 11, and subsequently enrolled at the Brussels Conservatoire...
had been a pupil of Liszt. Although his formal training was classical, he traveled to the USA around 1920 and by his return in 1923 had developed considerable talent as a jazz pianist. His left-hand technique in particular is clearly influenced by the stride piano
Stride piano
Harlem Stride Piano, Stride Piano, or just Stride, is a jazz piano style that was developed in the large cities of the East Coast, mainly in the New York, during 1920s and 1930s. The left hand may play a four-beat pulse with a single bass note, octave, seventh or tenth interval on the first and...
style prevalent in New York in the early 1920s. Some of his arrangements are still played today, for instance Chopinata, a jazz tribute to several of the great works of Chopin.
Shortly after returning to Europe he became the house pianist at the popular Parisian cabaret Le Boeuf sur le Toit
Le Boeuf sur le Toit (cabaret)
Le Boeuf sur le Toit is the name of a celebrated Parisian cabaret-bar in Paris, founded in 1921 by Louis Moysés which was originally located at 28, rue Boissy d'Anglas in the 8th arrondissement of Paris. It was notably the gathering place for the avant garde arts scene during the period between...
where he succeeded Jean Wiéner
Jean Wiener
Jean Wiener was a French pianist and composer.- Life :Wiener was trained at the Conservatoire in Paris, where he studied alongside Darius Milhaud, and worked with Erik Satie. He then embarked on a career as concert impresario, composer and pianist...
. He and Wiéner subsequently formed a piano-duet partnership which lasted on and off from 1924 until 1939. Together they performed in over 2000 concerts and made over 100 recordings of hot dance, jazz, blues and classical music, as well as a small number of sides in which they accompanied leading French chansonnier
Chansonnier
A chansonnier is a manuscript or printed book which contains a collection of chansons, or polyphonic and monophonic settings of songs, hence literally "song-books," although some manuscripts are so called even though they preserve the text but not the music A chansonnier is a manuscript or...
s of the day. These include ten sides by the duet with Maurice Chevalier
Maurice Chevalier
Maurice Auguste Chevalier was a French actor, singer, entertainer and a noted Sprechgesang performer. He is perhaps best known for his signature songs, including Louise, Mimi, Valentine, and Thank Heaven for Little Girls and for his films including The Love Parade and The Big Pond...
, and others, solo, with Édith Piaf
Édith Piaf
Édith Piaf , born Édith Giovanna Gassion, was a French singer and cultural icon who became widely regarded as France's greatest popular singer. Her singing reflected her life, with her specialty being ballads...
and Yvonne George
Yvonne George
Yvonne de Knops , better known by her stage name Yvonne George, was a Belgian singer and feminist actress.-Biography:...
(Wiéner) and Jean Sablon
Jean Sablon
Jean Sablon was a popular French singer and actor.The son of a composer, with brothers and sisters who had successful careers of their own in musical entertainment, Jean Sablon studied piano at the Lyceé Charlemagne in Paris...
and Germaine Sablon
Germaine Sablon
Germaine Sablon was a French singer and film actress.She starred in some 15 films between 1920 and 1956. Her brother Jean Sablon was a popular singer and actor.-External links:...
(Doucet).
After the war Wiéner went on to a notable career as a pianist, composer of film music and broadcaster; Doucet never recorded again and died, probably of chronic alcoholism, in 1950.