George Girard

Emerging among the top New Orleans jazz talents of the 1950s, George Girard saw his promising trajectory cut short by a premature death from cancer. After finishing high school he turned professional in 1946, worked with Phil Zito, and soon became a central figure—alongside Pete Fountain—in the Basin Street Six from 1950 to 1954. When that ensemble disbanded he fronted his own groups and took freelance jobs until declining health prompted his retirement from performing in 1956. Girard delivered an exciting trumpet style while also singing in a rhythmic manner, yet that promise remained sadly unrealized. In addition to the sides he cut with the Basin Street Six, he led dates later issued on Storyville, GHB, and Good Time Jazz and recorded two full albums for Vik.