French musicians who were born in 1921
Here are 12 famous musicians from France were born in 1921:
Simone Signoret
Simone Signoret (March 25, 1921 Wiesbaden-September 30, 1985 Autheuil-Authouillet) also known as Henriette Charlotte Simone Kaminker or Simone Henriette Charlotte Kaminker was a French actor, tutor and writer. She had one child, Catherine Allégret.
Signoret began her acting career in France in the 1940s, and gained critical acclaim for her performance in the film "Les Diaboliques" in 1955. She went on to star in many other films, including "Room at the Top" (1959), for which she won the Academy Award for Best Actress. She was known for her strong and complex portrayals of women in her films.
In addition to her acting career, Signoret was also a writer and published several books, including her memoir "Nostalgia Isn't What It Used To Be." She was also a political activist and was known for her outspoken views on social and political issues.
Signoret continued to act in films and on stage throughout her career, and was respected as one of France's greatest talents. She passed away in 1985 at the age of 64.
Signoret was born to a French-Jewish father and an English mother. Her family moved to Paris when she was a child, where she eventually trained as an actor at the Conservatoire de Paris. During World War II, she became involved in the French Resistance and provided safe houses for Jewish refugees. She also worked as a nurse during the war.
In addition to her Academy Award for Best Actress, Signoret won several other awards for her acting, including a BAFTA Award and a Golden Globe Award. She was also nominated for several other awards throughout her career.
Signoret's marriage to Yves Montand, another famous French actor and singer, was one of the most high-profile relationships in French entertainment. The couple worked together on many films and were admired for their chemistry both on and off screen. However, their relationship was marred by infidelity and they eventually separated.
Signoret was known for her intelligence and wit, and was respected for her advocacy on behalf of disadvantaged groups. She was a member of the French Communist Party and supported many left-wing causes throughout her life. She was also a feminist and spoke out about the need for gender equality.
In addition to her memoir, Signoret wrote several other books, including a novel and a collection of essays. Her writing was praised for its honesty and insight into the human experience.
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Yves Montand
Yves Montand (October 13, 1921 Monsummano Terme-November 9, 1991 Senlis) also known as Yves Montad, Y.Montant or Ivo Livi was a French actor, singer and hairdresser. He had one child, Valentin Montand.
Discography: Les Grandes Chansons, Yves Montand: Collection 2 CD, Inédits, rares & indispensables, Master Serie, Montand, Montantd d'hier et d'aujourd'hui, Yves Montand, A Paris, Le Paris de Montand and Les 100 plus belles chansons.
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Louis Jourdan
Louis Jourdan (June 19, 1921 Marseille-February 14, 2015) also known as Louis Gendre or Louis Robert Gendre was a French actor. He had one child, Louis Henry Jourdan.
Jourdan began his acting career in France before transitioning to Hollywood in the 1940s. He appeared in over 80 films, including "Gigi," "The Paradine Case," and "Letter from an Unknown Woman." He also starred in several Broadway productions and had a successful television career, with appearances on shows such as "The Love Boat" and "Charlie's Angels." In addition to his acting career, Jourdan was also a talented singer and writer. He published a memoir, "Louis Jourdan: Myself Among Others," in 2014, and was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960. Jourdan passed away at the age of 93.
Jourdan was born into a wealthy family in Marseille, France, and was educated in Monaco and Switzerland. He began performing in school plays at a young age, and later studied drama in England. In 1946, he was signed to a contract with David O. Selznick and moved to Hollywood, where he quickly became a sought-after leading man. Jourdan was known for his charm, elegance, and sophisticated style, and often played suave, romantic characters. He was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for his role in "Gigi" and won a Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actor for his performance in "Three Coins in the Fountain." In later years, Jourdan returned to France and continued to work in film, television, and theater. He was awarded the Legion of Honour, France's highest civilian honor, in 2010.
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Louis Frémaux
Louis Frémaux (August 13, 1921 Aire-sur-la-Lys-) also known as Louis Fremaux is a French conductor.
His albums: Concierto de Aranjuez / Fantasía para un gentilhombre (feat. guitar: John Williams), Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2, , Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2, The Carnival of the Animals, Organ" Symphony / Piano Concerto No. 2 / Havanaise, Symphony no. 3 "Organ" / The Carnival of the Animals, Symphony no. 3 op. 78 in C minor / The Carnival of the Animals, Requiem / Cantique de Jean Racine and Requiem / Cantique de Jean Racine.
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Jeanne Demessieux
Jeanne Demessieux (February 13, 1921 Montpellier-November 11, 1968 Paris) otherwise known as Demessieux, Jeanne was a French organist.
She began studying the piano with her mother at a young age before shifting her focus to the organ. Demessieux enrolled at the Paris Conservatoire at age 14, studying with Marcel Dupré and winning several awards.
She went on to have a successful career as a concert organist, touring Europe and the United States. Demessieux was also a prolific recording artist, with over 70 recordings to her name.
She returned to teaching at the Paris Conservatoire in 1961 and became the first woman to teach organ there. Demessieux was highly respected for her interpretations of Bach and French Romantic music.
Sadly, she died in 1968 at the age of 47 from a heart attack while performing a recital in Paris.
In addition to her performing and teaching career, Jeanne Demessieux was also a prolific composer. She wrote over 50 works for the organ, including sonatas, preludes, fugues, and other pieces that have become staples of the organ repertoire. Demessieux was also known for her improvisational skills and frequently performed improvisations at her concerts. In 1958, she was appointed as the titular organist of the Church of Saint-Esprit in Paris, where she remained until her death. Despite her short life, Jeanne Demessieux left a lasting legacy on the world of music through her performances, recordings, compositions, and teachings, and she continues to be regarded as one of the greatest organists of the 20th century.
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Georges Brassens
Georges Brassens (October 22, 1921 Sète-October 29, 1981 Saint-Gély-du-Fesc) a.k.a. G. Brassens or Brassens, Georges was a French singer and singer-songwriter.
His discography includes: Supplique pour être enterré à la plage de Sète, La mauvaise réputation, Cupidon S'en Fout, Georges Brassens récital n°1, Georges Brassens récital n°2, Georges Brassens et sa guitare N°5, Georges Brassens, Volume 6, Volume 13 : Inédits : Archives 1953-1980, Auprès de mon arbre and Auprès de mon arbre.
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André Hodeir
André Hodeir (January 21, 1921 Paris-November 1, 2011 Versailles) also known as Andre Hodeir or Claude Laurence was a French composer and film score composer.
His albums include Jazz in Paris: Jazz & Jazz.
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Manitas de Plata
Manitas de Plata (August 7, 1921 Sète-November 5, 2014) otherwise known as Plata, Manitas de was a French , .
His albums include Ole! Guitarra flamenco, Flaming flamenco, Les grands succès de, Libres Conto El Viente, The Guitar Artistry of Manitas de Plata, Archivo de Flamenco, Spanish Guitar Favorites, , and . Genres: Flamenco.
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Eddie Barclay
Eddie Barclay (January 26, 1921 Paris-May 13, 2005 Paris) a.k.a. Barclay, Eddie, Édouard Ruault or Eddie Barclay et son orchestre was a French film score composer, actor, music producer, record producer, pianist, businessperson and editor. He had one child, Guillaume Barclay.
His albums include Dancing Party, Volume 6 (disc 1).
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Robert Dhéry
Robert Dhéry (April 27, 1921 France-December 5, 2004 Paris) also known as Robert Fouilley or Dhéry, Robert was a French actor, film director, screenwriter and writer.
He is best known for his work in the field of comedy, having created and starred in several successful comedic acts and films including the iconic play and film "La Plume de ma Tante".
Dhéry's career began with his involvement in the French Resistance during World War II, after which he pursued a career in the entertainment industry. With his comic genius, he quickly rose to fame and became a household name in France. He collaborated with famous French comedian Louis de Funès and directed him in his first leading role in the film "Poisson d'avril" in 1954.
Dhéry wrote and directed several successful films and plays, including "La Belle Américaine", "La Brebis Galante" and "Allez France!" among others. He also worked as a voice actor, dubbing foreign films in French.
In addition to his work in entertainment, Dhéry was also a prolific writer, having written several books including a memoir titled "Robert Dhéry raconte" and a biography of his friend and collaborator Louis de Funès.
Dhéry's work in comedy and entertainment had a profound impact on French culture and remains influential to this day. He was posthumously awarded the Order of the Legion of Honour, one of France's highest awards, in recognition of his contributions to the arts.
Dhéry was born Robert Fouilley in La Plaine-sur-Mer, France, on April 27, 1921. During World War II, he joined the French Resistance and was involved in several secret missions before being captured and imprisoned by the Germans. After the war, Dhéry started his career in the entertainment industry, initially as a theatre actor. He then ventured into film, writing and performing in his own plays and movies.
Dhéry married Colette Brosset, a fellow comedian and actress, in 1948. The couple collaborated extensively in their work, and their comedic partnership was critically acclaimed. They worked on several successful projects together, including the influential play and film "La Plume de ma Tante", which premiered in 1950 and became a sensation across Europe.
In addition to his work in theatre and film, Dhéry also made contributions to French television. He created and starred in the satirical television series "La Famille Arpad" in the late 1960s, which was a critical and commercial success. The show is regarded as a pioneering work of television comedy in France.
Dhéry continued to work in theatre and film until his death on December 5, 2004, in Paris, France. He was 83 years old. His legacy in French comedy and entertainment continues to inspire and influence new generations of performers and artists.
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Francis Blanche
Francis Blanche (July 20, 1921 Paris-July 6, 1974 Paris) a.k.a. Francis Jean Blanche was a French actor, comedian, humorist, screenwriter, writer and singer. His child is called Jean-Marie Blanche.
His albums include Appelez-moi fumée, L'Inoubliable and .
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Louis de Froment
Louis de Froment (December 5, 1921 Toulouse-August 19, 1994) was a French conductor.
His albums: The Complete Music for Piano and Orchestra / Chamber and Orchestral Pieces for Various Instruments.
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