French composer Jean Delettre was born in Paris. He wrote many songs, including lyrics, during the 1930s. Among the most popular was “Hands Across the Table,” written for the 1934 version of the Broadway revue, Continental Varieties. It was sung by French star Lucienne Boyer, known as “la dame en bleu;” Delettre accompanied her on the piano. It was also used in the 1935 film of that title, and in the 1940 film “Strike Up the Band”. In 1937, he and Alec Siniavine wrote the operetta “Belle saison,” which also featured Boyer. In all, he wrote 358 works that were included in 459 publications in three languages.
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.
