Charles Trenet
b. 18 May 1913, Narbonne, France, d. 19 February 2001, Paris, France. One of the leading exponents of the French chanson, Trenet's mixture of light-hearted comedy and nostalgic romanticism continued to endear him to his countrymen long after most of his contemporaries had passed away. After studying art at the Acadmie des Arts Dcoratives in Paris, Trenet formed a songwriting partnership with pianist Johnny Hess. The two performed in cabaret as Charles Et Johnny, and issued their first recordings in January 1934. The partnership was ended by military service in 1936, but Trenet was by now establishing a substantial reputation as a songwriter in his homeland. His commissions included songs for Maurice Chevalier ("Y'a De La Joie") and Jean Sablon ("Vous Qui Passez Sans Me Voir"), while Yves Montand made his debut in 1937 with Trenet's "C'est La Vie Qui Va"). During this period Trenet also inaugurated a solo career marked by his dapper stage dress (blue suit topped by a narrow-brimmed Fedora) and beguiling light baritone.
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