Ray Ventura

Raymond Ventura (April 16, 1908, Paris - March 30, 1979, Palma de Mallorca, Spain) was a French jazz bandleader. He played a significant role in popularizing jazz in France in the 1930s. [Michel Laplace, "Ray Ventura". "The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz".]

Ventura played piano in a group called The Collegiate Five from 1924, which recorded under the name The Collegians for Columbia Records beginning in 1928. He led the group from 1929 and recorded for Decca Records and other labels through the 1930s, becoming a popular dance ensemble in France in that decade. His sidemen included Philippe Brun, Alix Combelle, and Guy Paquinet. He led a big band in South America from 1942 to 1944 before returning to lead a group in France from 1945 to 1949.

During his tour in Brazil during the Second World War he was joined by the famous french singer Henri Salvador (1917-2008). Two years later in Argentina the french trumpet player Georges Henry joined the group after having left the Lecuona Cuban boys. Georges Henry later worked at the creation of TV Tuppi in Brazil.

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