Edgar Blanchard facts for kids

Edgar Vernon Blanchard (born August 17, 1924 – died September 16, 1972) was an American musician. He was a talented R&B guitarist, a leader of music bands, and someone who helped create the music for songs. He was a very important part of the music scene in New Orleans from the 1940s to the 1960s.

A Musician's Beginning

Edgar Blanchard was born in Grosse Tête, Louisiana. From a young age, he learned to play both the guitar and the banjo. During World War II, he served in Europe. When he returned home, he started his own band called the Gondoliers. He chose this name to remember his time in Italy.

By 1947, Edgar Blanchard became a well-known bandleader at the Down Beat club in New Orleans. His band played on Rampart Street, and famous singers like Roy Brown performed with them. Another skilled musician, Ernest McLean, also played guitar in his band.

Playing Many Styles

Blanchard's band was special because they could play many different kinds of music. They first recorded songs in Houston, Texas, in 1949. They worked with Don Robey's Peacock Records company. Even though these first recordings weren't very successful, Edgar Blanchard returned to New Orleans.

In New Orleans, he became a regular bandleader at the famous Dew Drop Inn, often working with Dave Bartholomew. He recorded with Roy Brown and performed with many other popular musicians and singers. Some of these artists included Big Joe Turner, Ray Charles, and Professor Longhair for Atlantic. He also worked with Lloyd Price and Little Richard for Specialty, and Paul Gayten, Eddie Bo, and Clarence "Frogman" Henry for Chess.

Even though he mostly played as a backup musician for others, Edgar Blanchard did record some instrumental songs under his own name for the Specialty label. His band had many talented members, including saxophonist August "Dimes" Dupont, bassist Frank Fields, pianist Lawrence Cotton, and drummer Alonzo Stewart.

Later Career and Legacy

In 1958, Edgar Blanchard started working for Joe Ruffino's Ric label. He played guitar, helped arrange music, and for a short time, was the musical director. He played guitar for Johnny Adams on his recordings for the label.

In 1961, he released an album with his band called Let's Have a Blast with the Gondoliers. He continued to perform with his band in clubs around New Orleans until the mid-1960s. He made his last recordings in the late 1960s, but these were not released until later.

Edgar Vernon Blanchard passed away in New Orleans in 1972 at the age of 48. He left behind his wife, Doris Blanchard, and his son, Edgar Vernon Blanchard Jr. His contributions to the music of New Orleans helped shape the sound of R&B during his time.