Isidore Soucy
Isidore Soucy | |
|---|---|
 Soucy c. 1940 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | September 7, 1899 |
| Died | December 7, 1962 (aged 63) |
| Genre | Folk music |
| Instrument | Violin |
| Works | |
| Years active | 1928–1962 |
| Labels | Starr Piano Company RCA Records Columbia Records |
Isidore Soucy (September 7, 1899 – December 7, 1962) was a Canadian violinist, composer, folklorist, and folk musician. Soucy is best known for his fiddle tune of the traditional Québécois tune, La Grande Gigue Simple.
Early life
[edit]Soucy was born on September 7, 1899, in Sainte-Blandine, a neighborhood of Rimouski, Quebec.[1] According to The Canadian Encyclopedia Soucy was noted as being the best fiddler within his hometown.[1]
Career
[edit]In 1924 Soucy moved to Montreal where he would work until 1926, that same year he made his first recording for the Starr Piano Company of Richmond, Indiana.[1][2][3][4] During this time Soucy also played fiddle music for CKAC and performed alongside Conrad Gauthier.[1][2] Beginning in the 1930s Soucy's fiddle music began to be played on more radio stations including CHLP.[2][4] Soucy was later joined by his wife and children and dubbed "The Famille Soucy" (The Soucy Family).[4] Throughout the 1940s and 1950s Soucy recorded several 78-rpm vinyl records for RCA Records which sold more than 100,000 copies.[1][4] By 1951 Soucy led the "Trio Soucy" which consisted of himself, his son Fernando, and accordionist René Alain.[4] Soucy continued to play with various groups throughout the 1950s and early 1960s, primarily at local clubs.[1]
Death
[edit]Soucy died on December 7, 1962, in Montreal.[1][4] Fernando would follow in Soucy's footsteps and perform with the Famille Soucy at Expo 67.[1]
Recordings
[edit]Soucy's discography includes some 1,200 recordings, most of which were 78-rpm vinyl records via Starr, Columbia Records, MCA Records Canada, and Bluebird Records, others were released under Soucy's own label.[1]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Isidore Soucy". The Canadian Encyclopedia. April 2, 2007. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
- 1 2 3 Fournier, Michel (December 12, 2006). "Isidore Soucy". Quebec Info Musique (in French). Retrieved July 9, 2026.
- ↑ Moogk, Edward B. (February 7, 2006). "Starr". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Labbé, Gabriel (1977). Les pionniers du disque folklorique québécois, 1920-1950 [The pioneers of Quebec folk records, 1920-1950] (in French). Montréal: L'Aurore. p. 107.