Georg
Lankester, expert in pre-WW II French jazz
history, continues in this entry the story of André Ekyans career, this time focusing on the war and post-war years –
the 1940s.
First
part of the story (1930s) is available following this link, here
André Ekyan, a ‘sought after’ musician
In
the first year of the war (1940) our alto-sax player formed a new group named
“Swingtette” in which we find guitarist ‘Matlo’Ferret. This formation played
frequently in the “Moulin Rouge” and moreover made various fine records for
“Odéon”.
Due
to the fact that the relationship between André and Django was quite good and
their musical feelings also matched, a series of new recordings was organised
in February. André’s fine sax playing, accompanied by Django, was now completed
with guitarist Pierre Ferret and bass player Emmanuel Soudieux, also ‘masters
of strings’.They recorded swinging versions of ‘Margie’ and ‘ Rosetta’, as well
as ‘Sugar’ and ‘A pretty girl is like a melody’.Those records, supervised by
Delaunay, were released by “Swing” (Sw 98 & 194).
André
was also the leader of a small formation
called “Kit Cat” which performed in a luxary place at the Champs
Elyssées, an illustration of his popularity.
 |
| Swing, Sw 127 |
Outside Paris
Shortly
afterwards Ekyan remained in Switzerland because he now joined the popular Ray
Ventura orchestra. This French band which had firstly toured through the South
of France, went to Switzerland in order to escape from th German occupation. At
the end of 1941 Ventura even left Europe to settle in South America till the
war was over.
 |
| Django Reinhardt, Andre Ekyan, Ralph Schecroun, Alf Masselier and Roger Paraboschi in Rome (1950) |
Back
in France, André now became the leader of a formation in Baulieu, where he
would remain till 1950 when Django invited him to join his new quintet which
was going to play in Italy. In April and
May of that particular year this quintet performed in Rome where also several
recordings were made.
In the
Fifties, André performed often in ‘Maxim’s”, however, the music performed
there gradually had a somewhat lower
level. Therefore he decided to travel through Europe and so it happened.
 |
| André Ekyan's orchestra at 'Maxim's' |
He then
played in a lot of countries, but often
in Spain. Unfortunately it was in the town of Alicante that he died on 9 August
1972 because of a tragic traffic accident.
 |
| André Ekyan (1907-1972) |
Summary
Considering
André Ekyan’s impressive activities and successes one can certainly speak of an
important jazz musician, not only for France, but in general since he also
played with a lot of great American jazzmen.
Worthwhile
to mention is that he produced a soft tone on clarinet which created a sometimes melancholy atmosphere, fitting
in so well with a musician like e.g. Django Reinhardt. In his alto-sax playing one
can hear some influences from the Chicago jazz (Frank Trumbauer) and – later – from
Benny Carter. Producing a warm tone, sometimes calm, in other moments
excuberant and fast, he could inspire other jazz musicians. Because of his
technique and creativity, this artist belongs to the best European saxophonists
of last century.
Some
recommended records: China Boy ‘French Hot Boys’(1932),Crazy Rhythm, ‘Coleman
Hawkins All Stars (1937), Margie with Django Reinhardt (1940)
Georg Lankester
---
Jo
keepitswinging.domain@gmail.com
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