Jean Sablon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jean Sablon
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Sablon in 1939
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| Born |
Jean Georges Sablon
25 March 1906 Nogent-sur-Marne, France
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| Died | 24 February 1994 (aged 87) Cannes, France
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| Nationality | French nationality |
| Education | Lycée Charlemagne |
| Occupation | Singer, songwriter, actor |
| Years active | 1923–84 |
| Known for | J'attendrai, C'est si bon, La Vie en rose, Les feuilles mortes, Sur le Pont d'Avignon, Melodie d'Amour, Syracuse, Je tire ma révérence, Vous qui passez sans me voir, C'est le printemps, Ce petit chemin |
| Style | Chanson |
Jean Sablon (born March 25, 1906, died February 24, 1994) was a famous French singer, songwriter, and actor. He was one of the first French artists to really love and perform jazz music.
Sablon was also the first singer in France to use a microphone on stage in 1936. He became a big star on records and radio. In 1937, he moved to the United States to work with NBC. His radio and TV shows made him very popular in America. Jean Sablon became a global ambassador for French music. He spent his career touring around the world, sometimes returning to France for shows. His amazing career lasted 61 years, ending in 1984.
Contents
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Jean Sablon was born in Nogent-sur-Marne, France. His father was a composer, and his brothers and sisters also had successful careers in music and entertainment.
Jean went to the Lycée Charlemagne school in Paris. He wanted to study at the Paris Conservatory, a famous music school. However, he was too late to apply for that year. So, he decided to start his professional singing career right away.
First Steps on Stage
At just 17 years old, Jean Sablon made his first appearance in a musical play called an operetta in Paris. In 1923, he performed with Jean Gabin in La Dame en Décolleté. Later, in 1925, he shared the stage with Charles Boyer in Simili.
In 1927, Jean appeared in a show called Au Temps de Gastounet. A famous artist named Paul Colin created his first poster. After another operetta, Jean traveled across the Atlantic Ocean to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1928. He was there for the opening of the Copacabana Palace hotel.
First Recordings and Film
In 1929, Jean Sablon recorded his first demo record for Columbia Records. He also performed in operettas like Vive Leroy and Music Hall. The next year, he made his first movie, Chacun sa Chance. This was also the first film for his co-star, Jean Gabin.
Rise to Stardom
In 1931, Jean Sablon met Mireille, a talented composer. Her song Couchés dans le foin became a huge hit. This meeting was very important for his career.
Working with Jazz Legends
Also in 1931, Jean discovered the amazing guitarist Django Reinhardt. Jean Sablon became the first singer to record with Django Reinhardt. This was a big deal because Columbia Records was worried about hiring Django, who couldn't read music. But Jean believed in him, and their recordings were very successful.
In 1933, Jean traveled to Hollywood, California, with Mireille. They were invited by Ramon Novarro, a famous actor from the movie Ben Hur. Jean even gave a concert for many Hollywood stars.
The Microphone Pioneer
In 1936, Jean Sablon made history. He became the first person to use a microphone on stage in France. This was a big change for live performances and became a special part of his image. He also hosted a radio show called Cadum Variétés, where he sang and invited famous guests like Maurice Chevalier.
In 1937, Jean won a major award, the Grand Prix du Disque, for his song "Vous qui passez sans me voir". This song was written for him by Charles Trenet.
International Success
Thanks to his success in France, Jean Sablon signed a contract with NBC in New York in 1937. He recorded songs in English, with help from famous American composers like Cole Porter and George Gershwin.
Hollywood and Beyond
In Hollywood, Jean was supposed to star in a movie with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. But because of disagreements, most of his scenes were removed. Only his song "Darktown Strutters Ball" remained in the final movie. He also hosted a radio show called Hollywood Hotel, where he invited many big stars.
In 1939, Jean was in Montreal, Canada. He created a swing version of Sur Le Pont d'Avignon, which became very popular. He also met La Bolduc, a Canadian singer, and introduced her to Charles Trenet.
In the 1940s, Jean hosted his own radio show, "Show Jean Sablon," on CBS. He performed on Broadway in New York and in Brazil. He was a star at the Casino Atlantico in Rio de Janeiro.
World Tours
Jean Sablon continued to tour the world in the 1940s. He performed in New York, Los Angeles, Cuba, Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay. Some of his shows helped raise money for war victims.
In 1947, Jean recorded Les Feuilles mortes in New York. This is the earliest known version of this classic song, which became famous in the US as "Autumn Leaves".
Throughout the 1950s, Jean Sablon traveled constantly. He performed in the US, UK, France, Brazil, Canada, Portugal, Morocco, Greece, Italy, Egypt, Mexico, Cuba, and Spain. In 1952, he became the first French entertainer to have his own show in Las Vegas. Later, he also visited India, Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Panama, and Venezuela.
Television and Later Career
As television became more popular, Jean could reach more people without traveling as much. But he still kept a busy schedule of international shows in the 1960s. He performed in South Africa, Bermuda, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Japan, and Iran.
By the late 1960s, Jean decided to limit his overseas travel. He settled in his house in Theoule-sur-Mer, France. He performed regularly on TV in France, Switzerland, Italy, Brazil, and the US. He also often performed for charity events, like the Red Cross Gala in Monaco.
In 1981, Jean celebrated his 75th birthday with a special concert in New York. He performed with Frank Sinatra's orchestra, saying goodbye to his American fans. His farewell show in Paris in 1982 was shown on TV. He gave his very last performance in Rio de Janeiro in 1984.
Jean Sablon became one of the most famous French male singers in the world. Many people compared him to American stars like Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra. He sold millions of records and worked with top musicians like Django Reinhardt.
Jean Sablon also appeared in several movies and TV films as a singer or pianist. His last appearance was in 1984, when he sang "April in Paris" in the American TV show Mistral's Daughter.
Jean Sablon passed away in Cannes, France, in 1994. He is buried in the Cimetière du Montparnasse in Paris.
Personal Life
Jean Sablon was part of a very musical family. His father, Charles Sablon, was a composer. His brother, André Sablon, was also a composer, and his sister, Germaine Sablon, was a singer and actress. The actor Jacques Sablon was his nephew.
Commemorative Street Names
Several streets and public places have been named after Jean Sablon to honor him:
- On April 30, 2004, the allée Jean Sablon was opened in Paris.
- On September 7, 2006, the promenade Jean Sablon was opened along the Marne river in Nogent-sur-Marne. This was for the 100th anniversary of his birth.
- On April 10, 2010, the allée Jean Sablon was opened on the Promenade de la Croisette in Cannes.
- On May 15, 2015, the esplanade Jean Sablon was opened in Théoule-sur-Mer.
See also
In Spanish: Jean Sablon para niños
