Marcel Azzola
Moved between chanson accompaniment and small-group jazz, expanding the accordion's roles in French recordings.
- Years
- 1927–2019
- Country
- France
- Instrument
- Accordion, bandoneon
Marcel Azzola moved between French popular song and instrumental music. As an accompanist he worked with singers including Jacques Brel, while his later recordings also brought the accordion into small jazz groups.
His discography shows both sides of that career: the accordion supporting a singer and leading a small ensemble. His accordion accompanies Jacques Brel on Vesoul, helping define the song’s sound. On the jazz album Jazzola he plays with vibraphonist Dany Doriz in an instrumental setting. Moving between chanson recordings and small-group jazz, he gave the accordion different roles as accompanist and ensemble voice.
Selected works, recordings and publications
- Vesoul1968
Jacques Brel's recording with Azzola on accordion. His accompaniment is part of the song's dramatic momentum.
Release / publisherJacques Brel, “Vesoul” (Barclay, 1968)
Publication source - Jazzola1999
An album with vibraphonist Dany Doriz that places Azzola's accordion in a jazz setting.
Release / publisherCD · Jardis, JRCD 9923
Publication source