Joseph Allard

about

Joseph Allard, fiddler, composer, born in Woodland, Maine, 1 Feb 1873, died near Montreal 14 Nov 1947. The son of a fiddler, he was taken as a child to Quebec and at nine began fiddling. He returned to the USA at 16 and during the next 28 years won fiddling championships in New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. Returning to Canada ca 1917, he eventually settled in Ville St-Pierre, near Montreal. Allard won competitions in the Montreal area and appears to have placed second in a major contest held in Lewiston, Me, in 1926. Thereafter he enjoyed a growing reputation in eastern Canada and northeastern USA. He began recording for Victor's Bluebird label in 1928 and over the next 18 years made 75 78s. The most successful, according to the discographer Gabriel Labb.. (in whose Pionniers du disque folklorique qu..b..cois Allard's recordings are listed), were Reel de l'Aveugle, Reel de Chateauguay, Reel de Jacques Cartier, and Reel du voyageur. Allard also made six 78s for Bluebird under the name Maxime Toupin in the late 1930s. From an appraisal of Allard's recordings Labb.. concluded: 'This violoneux had developed a remarkable technique, influenced by both Irish and US music. He was known as "the prince of violoneux" because he had a supple and light bowing stroke and inimitable finger dexterity'. Allard's repertoire comprised many hundred folk melodies and about 60 of his own pieces. Jean Carignan, who studied with Allard 1927-31 in Montreal, became the lead

top songs

albums

Masters Of French Canadian Dances

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Violoneux québécois

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THE SECRET MUSEUM OF MANKIND: ATLAS OF INSTRUMENTS - FIDDLES, VOL. 1

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25 Folklores Québécois

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Real Player

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Swing le Violon Dans le Fond D'la Boite À Bois

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Joseph Allard

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Reeling With Jigs #2 - Canadian Fiddle Recorded ca. 1930-1957

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Swing Le Violon Dans Le Fond De La Boite A Bois

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Grand violoneux (Hommage)

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