Person

Delfosse, Hector

1925-1998

Accordion player and composer Hector Delfosse was born in Tournai, Belgium, the son of a ceiling plasterer who also ran a café. He got his first accordeon at the age of seven and had private lessons. His father, Alexandre, started a family band to amuse the clients at his establishment, calling it “Jazz Alexandre.” They also played in various places along the Belgian shore, and young Hector became a hit; by the late 1930s, he was playing concerts in Brussels. He also studied at the Conservatoire de musique de Tournai. The radio programs Ville-vacances and later, Chansons a la carte, made him a star. He soon had his own orchestra. During his 60-year career, he recorded some 200 titles, among them three “disques d’or.” The most famous of his compositions (with lyrics by fellow Tournai resident Éric Gentry) was “La danse des canards,” in 1980, based on a 1964 tune. He also wrote “La danse des petits chats” and ” La valse des canaris, ” and numerous tangos.