Ernest Léardée

Martinique clarinetist, violinist, and bandleader, born 1895 in Martinque. Traveled to Paris in 1929 as a member of Alexandre Stellio's orchestra, recorded with him same year. Formed his own band in 1930 with some musicians from Stellio's orchestra and played for many years at the Bal Colonial, making numerous recordings with the band. Léardée played French Creole dance music and introduced jazz instruments as banjo and traps in the traditional beguine orchestra.