Armand John "A.J." Piron (August 16, 1888 – February 17, 1943) was an American jazz violinist who led dance bands during the 1910s thru the 1930s.
Early life
A.J. Piron was born August 16, 1888, to Octave Louis Piron and Marie Jeanne Zeringue (Jennie). While this is the date according to his draft registration card, his birth record states he was born August 26, 1889. The former date is more widely accepted.
At home his family spoke English and French
patois
''Patois'' (, same or ) is speech or language that is considered nonstandard, although the term is not formally defined in linguistics. As such, ''patois'' can refer to pidgins, creoles, dialects or vernaculars, but not commonly to jargon or sl ...
, although Piron spoke mostly English.
Piron grew up with his five siblings in the 7th Ward at 1523-24 Columbus Street, steps from
Claiborne Avenue,
which at that time was a bustling, tree-lined center of commerce and community life. Octave Piron was a shoemaker and a musician himself. He was both a music teacher and played in the Philharmonic Orchestra alongside many well known musicians of the time like
Manuel Perez,
Charlie Elgar, Ida Rose, and
Alphonse Picou
Alphonse Floristan Picou (October 19, 1878 – February 4, 1961) was an important very early American jazz clarinetist, who also wrote and arranged music. He was born and died in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Early life and education
Alphonse Picou w ...
, among others.
Octave Piron taught his sons Milford, Albert, and Armand Piron how to play.
At the age of seven Piron had an accident that damaged one of his legs. For the next five years while Piron recovered, he devoted himself to practicing the violin.
This could be the reason A.J. Piron didn't join the numerous marching bands popular in New Orleans at that time but instead became a dance and concert band musician.
At age twelve Piron made his musical debut when he joined a band his father led that included some of his students and Piron's brothers.
Career
In 1903 Piron began playing in the Bloom Philharmonic. In 1908 he played for the Peerless Orchestra. Then in 1913 he played in the large, legendary orchestra organized by
John P. Robichaux for the Carnival ball of the Elves of Oberon.
That same year Piron was playing at the Rose Bud Theater on Dryades Street, sometimes with Papa Celestin's Tuxedo band. He also played in the Olympia Band with
Sydney Bechet,
Kid Ory
Edward "Kid" Ory (December 25, 1886 – January 23, 1973) was an American jazz composer, Trombone, trombonist and bandleader. One of the early users of the glissando technique, he helped establish it as a central element of Music of New Orle ...
,
Louis Keppard, and
Clarence Williams, among others.
After touring briefly with
W.C. Handy in 1917, Piron started an orchestra which included
Lorenzo Tio,
Steve Lewis,
John Lindsay
John Vliet Lindsay (; November 24, 1921 – December 19, 2000) was an American politician and lawyer. During his political career, Lindsay was a U.S. congressman, the mayor of New York City, and a candidate for U.S. president. He was also a regu ...
, and
Peter Bocage.
The theme song of the orchestra was "The Purple Rose of Cairo", written by Piron and Steve Lewis.
In 1923, Piron took his band to New York City.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Piron, Armand J.
1888 births
1943 deaths
Jazz musicians from New Orleans
American jazz bandleaders
American jazz composers
American male jazz composers
American jazz violinists
American male violinists
Louisiana Creole people
Victor Records artists
20th-century American violinists
20th-century American male musicians
Olympia Orchestra members
20th-century African-American musicians
Imperial Orchestra members