To get acquainted to Jean Labre, let’s go back in time. Everything is beginning in the end of the forties, in an harmonica club called " Charm ", founded by Albert RAISNER. Jean is often there with his first trio " Les Vagabonds de l’Hudson " as soloist, with Robert Prouff (chord) and, successively, Jean Bouhours and Marc Pero (bass).

In 1949, he is contacted by Borrah MINEVITCH to be part of the new european famous ensemble : the " Rascals ". But he is under 20 and is obliged to decline the proposition to which his father is firmly opposed.

In 1951 he wins the harmonica Coupe de France, at Pleyel concert hall, with his trio re-named " Hudson Trio ". He is already noted for his mastery of all types of harmonicas and wins several prizes among them the radio station " Europe 1 " Cup, in 1953, with " René GARY Trio ". He is elected CFH President (Confédération Française de l’Harmonica) in 1958, with René GARY as technical director and Albert RAISNER President of Honour. In 1959, with René GARY and Claude RAGUET,the trio Gary named the " Parisians "for the occasion, he makes his first records, (two 45), in New york , USA, where he occasionally stays. The adventure of the trio Gary will end with the death of René Gary in 1987 (Claude Raguet will die in 1992).

Jean is registered at the SACEM (French society of composers, authors and publishers), since 1971, as songwriter and since 1979 as publisher. The Trio GARY joins the " HOTVILL’S " in 1973. This associaton is named " NEW HOTVILL’S ", then in 1977 it becomes " PHILARMONICA ", produced by the new society P.S.B. (Productions Stéphanie Bertrand), idea of his wife Danielle (Air France stewardess) who manages it with him, until her death in 1980. With P.S.B., he directs and is in charge of the technical direction for a number of records : variety, atmospheric music, world music, etc. Air France crew member for more than thirty years (he has spent 22.995 hours in planes), his compositions have been broadcasted on the musical channels on board of the planes of this company he has left in 1985.

In 1990 he creates "France Harmonica Association" (become "Harmonicas de France Federation"), of which he is Founder President.

In 1991, he is appointed IHO (International Harmonica organization) vice president for Europe, and representative for this association (, he travels all around the world (Europe, Asia, USA, etc.), taking part in most of the greatest harmonica events. From then, he will be often jury member for the worldwide competitions. During the nineties Jean Labre will play successively in the trios "Hotvill's" and "Harmonica Swingers" (renamed "The Parisians"), as soloist. In 2005, he creates the french/japanese trio "Les Parisiens" (soloist Nami Miyata, bass Maurice Bailly, chord Jean Labre).  His discography that you will see underneath lists 18 works, (four 45, seven LP 33 and eight CD), realised between 1959 and to-day.

Jean Labre has always been open to all musical styles. That’s why some harmonica purists may be surprised at reading this discography which includes some recordings with very few, or even no harmonica interventions, but in which he established himself as creator, composer and director.

Visit his Harmonica site here: http://www.jeanlabre.com/english

 

 

 

1.HARMONICA MAN
2.CAN'T BUY ME LOVE
3.RUIN' BABINES BLUES
4.ROCHEFORT SHORE
5.VIEILLE CANAILLE
6.GHOSTBUSTERS
7.CARAVAN
8.IN THE MOOD
9.JUST A GIGOLO
10.DON'T WORRY BE HAPPY
11.ONCE WILLIE
12.BORAMILO

Jean Labre: Diatonique、Chromatique、Chord、Basse、Chromatica

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