Henri Chaix

Henri Chaix (pronounced "Shecks") has long been recognized as an outstanding pianist whose music has become a reflection of his primary influences: Jelly Roll Morton, James P. Johnson, Willie "The Lion" Smith, Fats Waller, Jimmy Yancy and Earl "Fatha" Hines. His early apprenticeship was with Sidney Bechet, who used to spend his summer vacations in Geneva (Henri's home base).

Chaix was a pianist in a number of different bands in the 1940's and this finally led to his forming his own group. He was able to maintain the same personnel for more than a decade and toured continuously with the cream of America's musicians. The band stopped working as a unit by around 1971, but Chaix has never stopped performing.

Recommended recordings:"Jive at Five"Sackville SKCD2-2035
"Jumpin' Punkins"Sackville SKCD2-2020
"Just Friends"Sackville SKCD2-2048

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