Papa French
Encyclopedia
Albert "Papa" French was a New Orleans Jazz musician, banjo player, and band leader. He died in 1977.
He was a banjo player in the Original Tuxedo Brass Band
of New Orleans. This band was founded in 1910 and led for 44 years by Papa Celestin. After the death of Papa Celestin in 1954, leadership was briefly taken over by trombonest Eddie Pierson until his death in 1958. The leadership of the band fell to Banjo player Albert French, who was called "Papa" French as a token of endearment of the Late Papa Celestin. Papa French led the band until his death in 1977.
He released the highly regarded traditional jazz LP "A Night At Dixieland Hall", recorded live in 1965. Released on the Nobility label as Nobility 702, this set was recorded at Dixieland Hall, 522 Bourbon Street, NY. It featured Jeanette Kimball on Piano, Louis Barbarin
on drums (incorrectly spelled "Louise" on the LP liner notes), Steward Davis on Bass Fiddle, Joseph "Cornbread" Thomas on Clarinet and Vocals, Waldren "Frog" Joseph
on Trombone, Wendell Eugene on Trombone, and the well known Alvin Alcorn
on Trumpet.
Albert's son, Bob French
is a successful New Orleans musician and radio host. He has led the Tuxedo Jazz Band since the death of his father in 1977.
He was a banjo player in the Original Tuxedo Brass Band
Tuxedo Brass Band
The Tuxedo Brass Band, sometimes called the Original Tuxedo Brass Band, was one of the most highly regarded brass bands of New Orleans, Louisiana in the 1910s and 1920s....
of New Orleans. This band was founded in 1910 and led for 44 years by Papa Celestin. After the death of Papa Celestin in 1954, leadership was briefly taken over by trombonest Eddie Pierson until his death in 1958. The leadership of the band fell to Banjo player Albert French, who was called "Papa" French as a token of endearment of the Late Papa Celestin. Papa French led the band until his death in 1977.
He released the highly regarded traditional jazz LP "A Night At Dixieland Hall", recorded live in 1965. Released on the Nobility label as Nobility 702, this set was recorded at Dixieland Hall, 522 Bourbon Street, NY. It featured Jeanette Kimball on Piano, Louis Barbarin
Louis Barbarin
Louis Barbarin was a New Orleans jazz drummer. He studied under the famed drummer, Louis Cottrell, Sr.Louis was the younger brother of Paul Barbarin...
on drums (incorrectly spelled "Louise" on the LP liner notes), Steward Davis on Bass Fiddle, Joseph "Cornbread" Thomas on Clarinet and Vocals, Waldren "Frog" Joseph
Waldren Joseph
Waldren "Frog" Joseph was a jazz trombone player from New Orleans, Louisiana. He played in a variety of styles over his career but was best known as a performer of traditional New Orleans jazz in the style carried on today by the Preservation Hall ensembles...
on Trombone, Wendell Eugene on Trombone, and the well known Alvin Alcorn
Alvin Alcorn
Alvin Alcorn was an American New Orleans jazz trumpeter.Alcorn was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. He learned music from his brother, though not much is known about his youth. He played freelance in New Orleans in the late 1920s and early 1930s; he appears with Armand J. Piron's Sunny South...
on Trumpet.
Albert's son, Bob French
Bob French
Robert "Bob" French is a United States jazz drummer and a former radio show host at WWOZ, from New Orleans, Louisiana.French has led The Tuxedo Jazz Band since 1977. -Career:As a child French took drumming lessons from Louis Barbarin...
is a successful New Orleans musician and radio host. He has led the Tuxedo Jazz Band since the death of his father in 1977.