Jean Sablon

Jean Sablon, born March 25, 1906 in Nogent-sur-Marne, is a French jazz singer, composer and songwriter, one of the first to embrace this musical genre. He is also known for being the first to use a microphone on stage in France, in 1936, marking a revolution in stage performance techniques. A student at the Lycée Charlemagne in Paris, Jean Sablon decided to leave school to devote himself fully to his passion for music. He was unable to enter the Paris Conservatoire due to lack of enrolment, so he decided to go straight into show business. At just 17, he made his operetta debut in Paris, sharing the stage with the likes of Jean Gabin and Charles Boyer. His theatrical career was marked by many successes, notably in revues and operettas such as La Dame en Décolleté and Simili. He went on to collaborate with renowned artists such as Arletty and Damia. A turning point in Jean Sablon's career came in 1932, when he met the legendary guitarist Django Reinhardt. Fascinated by Reinhardt's talent, Jean Sablon became the first singer to record with him, despite initial reluctance on the part of the recording studios. This collaboration enabled him to make a name for himself in the jazz world, at a time when this musical genre was becoming increasingly popular in France. Jean Sablon left for the United States with Mireille, where he performed in Hollywood in front of a star-studded audience. Despite the opportunities of an American career, he chose to return to France, where he created the song "Ce petit chemin", which would become one of his greatest hits. In 1937, Jean Sablon received the Grand Prix du disque for his song "Vous qui passez sans me voir", written by Charles Trenet, Johnny Hess and Paul Misraki. The award marked the beginning of a period of fame for Sablon, who flew to New York to host a show on NBC. His success in the U.S. was immediate, and he became a sought-after performer, notably with Cole Porter and George Gershwin, who invited him to interpret some of their works. During the Second World War, Sablon continued to perform mainly in South America and the USA, touring extensively and recording international hits such as a swing version of "Sur le pont d'Avignon". After the war, Jean Sablon resumed his world tours. His 1947 recording of " Les Feuilles mortes" in New York remains one of the earliest known versions of this classic. During the 1950s, he recorded many hits, including "C'est si bon", which became an international standard. Jean Sablon gradually retired from the stage in the 1970s, preferring to devote himself to television appearances and more intimate recitals. He bade farewell to American audiences in 1981 at New York's Lincoln Center, and to French audiences in Paris in 1982. Jean Sablon died in Cannes on February 24, 1994, at the age of 87.

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