Tony Muréna


Tony Muréna was an Italian-born Musette accordionist and jazz composer who lived and worked in France.

Life and career

Antonio Muréna was born in Borgo Val di Taro, Italy. His family emigrated to France in 1923 and settled in Nogent-sur-Marne. His uncle gave him his first accordion and he began a performing career assisted by his cousin Louis Ferrari. Muréna played in cabarets and music halls from an early age.
In 1932 Muréna began to play the bandoneón in tango orchestras, including that of Rafael and Eduardo Bianco Canaro, at French clubs including La Boule Noire, Java, The Silhouette, Balajo, Pré Catelan and Ciro's. He also toured in South America, Germany, Italy and Switzerland. In 1949 he bought the Le Mirliton cabaret where he often played with Stephane Grappelli and Django Reinhardt. He also played with Matelo Ferret, Henri Crolla, Didi Duprat, Jo Privat and Gus Viseur. In 1958 he established the Radio Luxembourg Orchestra and also hosted the 36 Candles television show. He died in France.

Works

Muréna composed works including:
  • Passion
  • Indifference
  • Jockey Club
  • ''Ping Pong''

Singles

  • - 1957 Que Sera Sera/Les Ames Fières/La Marie-vison/La Complainte de DMackie
  • - 1957 Toi, c'est Vrai/Rio de Janeiro/Pour Toi/Je Ne Peux Que T'aimer
  • - La Paloma/Adios Pampa Mia
  • - Adios Pampa Mia/Julio
  • - Alma Andaluza/Pensamiento
  • - La Plus Belle Chose au Monde/Je t'appellerai/Le Forgeron de Calvi/Prends du Bon Temps
  • - Senor Coronas/Paris mon Paname/Sentimental Musette/Capricio Tanco
  • - ''A Chi Chi Castenango/Tes Yeux Bleus''

Albums

  • - 1953 - Tony Muréna Vous Invite À Danser sur des Airs Populaires Italiens
  • - 1965 - Reine de Musette
  • - 1992 - Valse et swing
  • - 2001 - Les Années Odéon
  • - 2004 - Fête Musette
  • - Tony Murena
  • - Pleins Feux sur... Tony Murena
  • - Accordeon de Vienne
  • - Le Dénicheur avec Tony Muréna
  • - Reine de Musette
  • - Invitation au Musette - Valses musette et javas par Tony Murena
  • - "Ça gaze..."
  • - De Madrid à Sevilla
  • - Paris * Lisboa...
  • - Tony Muréna... Un Mauvais Garcon?
  • - Accordéon Swing Vol. 2
  • - Le Dénicheur
  • - ''Tony Muréna en pleine forme!...''

Compilations

  • - 1957 - Les quatre As du Musette with André Verchuren, Louis Ledrich, Louis Ferrari.
  • - 1963 - Tangos et Paso-Dobles with Jo Privat.
  • - 1974 - Paris Musette with Marcel Azzola, Claude Chevalier, Gus Viseur.
  • - 1996 - Swing de Musette with Gus Viseur, Émile Carrara, Guerino, Médard Ferrero.
  • - 2005 - Accordéon with the song Jalousie.
  • - 19 Accodéonistes Vous Invitent with the pieces El Paso Rojo, Accordéon Espagnol, Reine de Musette.