OffBeat has learned that bassist and vocalist, George French, passed away at age 81.

George French at Jazz Fest. Photo by Brian Bennett

French has made a post on Facebook in early August that he had COVID.

French began his career in the tradition of his father, Albert “Papa” French, who led the Original Tuxedo Brass Band. French began training and performing at an early age as a vocalist in grammar school. His musical training as a bassist started as a teenager. With no professional instruction—his musical style developed through “on-the-job-training.” French’s major influences were, among others, his father, Albert “Papa” French, Sr., George Davis, and Sam Jones. “Papa” French served as his role model for musical professionalism, business style and commitment to performing.

French learned much from his father, especially about performance. “A lot of guys, especially in jazz, forget to entertain,” he said. “It’s okay to play good music and be a serious musician. But if you’re only playing for yourself, that’s not cool. You want the audience to be an extension of what’s happening on the stage. In New Orleans, that’s part of our tradition.”

George Davis, his first teacher, ignited his desire to play bass while Sam Jones served as his mentor for musical style.

George’s son, drummer Gerald French said, “My dad, who grew 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.”

George French at Jazz Fest. Photo by Brian Bennett

French has been performing since his teens. He was still in high school when his cousin Dave Bartholomew hired him to play Fats Domino’s sessions at Cosimo Matassa’s studio. His other session work includes Earl King’s “Trick Bag,” Robert Parker’s “Barefootin’” and Bo Dollis and the Wild Magnolias’ “Handa Wanda.”

French’s son Gerald told OffBeat: “I like performing with my dad. In my opinion, my dad is one of the best bass players ever to come out of New Orleans. My dad is also one of the best vocalists from New Orleans.”

George’s brother, drummer Bob French, led the Original Tuxedo Jazz Band. Bob French passed away in 2012 at age 74.

Over the span of his career, George worked with many musicians, including Willie Tee and the Souls, Bob French and the Continentals, Red Tyler and the Gentlemen of Jazz. His recording career earned him studio time with Earl King, Robert Parker, Bob French and The Storyville Jazz Band, The Dukes Of Dixieland, The James Rivers Quartet and Wendell Brunious.

French continued to entertain with the George French Trio and yearly at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.

From WGNO news, LBJ asked Quint Davis of Festival Productions about French: “George French—was 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 Economy Hall Tent, you go for that.”