New Orleans singer, bassist George French dies

NEW ORLEANS ( WGNO ) — Noted New Orleans singer and bassist George French has died at the age of 81, his family confirms.

George began his career in the tradition of his father, the late Albert “Papa” French, who led the Original Tuxedo Brass Band. George took that music farther and also explored other genres.

George’s son, Gerald French, said, “My dad, I think to me, is like the refining part of that whole thing. Growing up in New Orleans in the late 40s and 50s got a lot of the R&B kind of stuff with him, but also was exposed to more modern jazz.”

In fact, George was performing in studio sessions while still in high school and went on to play on dozens of hit records coming out of our city. He also shared the bandstand with a who’s who of New Orleans music greats.

In addition to his work on bass, George is just as heralded for what he can do with his voice.

Quint Davis of Festival Productions explained, “George French as a singer. I don’t know if people know George French is like the Lou Rawls of New Orleans. When you see George French in the cubes in the Economy Hall Tent, you go to that.”

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