Among the Quebecers - 6

 

Professional dancer and choreographer, JEAN-MARC GÉNÉREUX (1962- ) made ​​his beginnings at age 10. In 1977, with his partner, France Mousseau, he participated successfully in amateur contests, and from 1986 to 1998, they competed at the international level in Latin and Ballroom dancing. For a couple of years, Jean-Marc is judge in TV dance competitions. Thanks to his trade he knows all types of music, including the one of Nana. He has the opportunity to converse with her during a co-hosted show with Penelope McQuade.

Poet, lawyer, publicist and novelist, ANTOINE GÉRIN-LAJOIE (1924-1882) is also the author of the poem "Un Canadien errant". He composed it while he was student. A couple of years before, he saw the boats that deported the Patriots of the Rebellion 1837-1838 on the St. Lawrence River. He chose a familiar and melancholic tune, like exhaling the lament of the exiles. Nana made us rediscover this song and she often chose to end her concerts in Quebec with it. Undoubtedly she also felt the exile during the time of the Colonels in Greece.

His exposure to every genre of music enabled him to develop an unerring taste. In his youth, SAMUEL GESSER (1930-2008) recorded some songs, a thing that few people know about him. He also worked in publicity and in the business of vinyl records. At the beginning of the 1960's, with the idea of making the artists he liked into household names, he became an impresario. During four decades, he presented more than 3,000 shows in Canada. Nana owes him her success here. He was her tour manager between 1967 and 1992 and made of her a performing star from sea to sea. He also contributed to the development of her American career.

FERNAND GIGNAC (1934-2006) is the first Quebec singer to earn big recording hits with a total of 31 albums and 75 singles. In 63 years of career, he was singer, host and actor. He covered several of Nana’s hits and has a great number of traditional French, Latin and Christmas songs in common with her. His version of "Le temps qu’il nous reste" was a competing success with Nana's version. If the preferences varied, we must admit that it is impossible to compare a male interpretation with a female one. This Nana single remains the best seller here and it stayed in the Hit Parades from October 1976 to February 1979.

RÉMY GIRARD (1950- ) is unquestionably one of our best actors. The diversity of his roles proves that he knows how to personify humor, drama and seriousness. In Quebec, we can see him in several major productions, as well in theatre, on television and in cinema. On the international front, he’s famous thanks to the movies "The Decline of the American Empire"," The Barbarian Invasions" and "Incendies". In 2008, in the comedy-drama "Honey I’m in Love" he plays a doctor and his favorite singer is Nana Mouskouri. To please him, his wife tries to look like her as much as possible.

GUY GODIN (1932-2015) began his career in radio and in theatre, performing in many plays. With the passing years, the small screen reserved for him a select place in several series. Chansonnier, author and poet, he was also a television and radio host. Guy is one of those who gave five golden records to Nana on the stage of Place of Arts in 1977.

Daughter of Jean Grimaldi, a playwright, FRANCINE GRIMALDI (1944- ) was first an actress from the age of three until 1970. Culture lover and passionate about artists, since then she has worked as a researcher and as a columnist all over Quebec world media. Lovable personality with a marginal look, she distinguished herself from her journalist colleagues and she is appreciated of all. She was pleased to hear and meet Nana. In concert, she found her generous for her performance and in person, simple and nice.

JEAN GUILDA (1924-2012) was a travesti performer of French origin especially known for his cabaret shows where he displayed extravagant toilets. He settled in Montreal in 1955 to perform a little everywhere in North America. Nana and Jean crossed paths on a television set in 1974. Guilda gave his last live performance in 2008 at age 84.

Astrologer, clairvoyant, poet and lyric writer, LOUISE HALEY (1943- ) has a passion for esotericism for several years. Well known in the Arts community, she did radio, television and wrote many works. The one that we call Madame Minou, because of her affection for cats, often met Nana after her concerts. Each time, she’s filled with wonder in front of all the energy that Nana spreads out to sing brilliantly song after song.

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