George Girard

One of the finest New Orleans jazz players to emerge in the 1950s, George Girard's premature death from cancer cut short a very promising career. He became a professional in 1946 after graduating from high school, played with Phil Zito, and then became a key member (along with Pete Fountain) of the Basin Street Six (1950-1954). After the breakup of that group, Girard led his own bands and freelanced until bad health forced him to retire in 1956. Girard had an exciting trumpet style and was a rhythmic vocalist whose potential was sadly not realized. In addition to his recording...