The event “Les Médaillés d’Espalion” puts a spotlight on the Espalion association fabric to highlight their commitment which helps to bring the territory to life and contributes to social cohesion. The awards ceremony will take place on Thursday, April 30 at the Espalion cinema. Readers, you are also actors of this event through an online vote.
Music, Blues Notes, and Harmony
In 1978, the Espalion Harmony was born under the name “Les Amis de musique”. The same year Claude Nougaro released his album “Tu verras”. This was a turning point for Michel Cadars when he discovered jazz. “My grandfather played the cabrette and made it, so as a kid, I dreamed of accordion and played by ear at the age of 10 and at 14 in a group called Les Diables Rouges,” he recounts, now serving as the president of the Harmony since 1995. The piano then took a backseat to Michel’s revelation with jazz, and he took up the saxophone. A passion he shared in jazz clubs in Paris. “You have to reach out to people,” he says. An amateur musician in the sense of “one who loves,” Michel Cadars may not have made music his profession, but he works daily with his instrument. Just like Pline the Elder’s saying, “not a day without a line,” Michel Cadars believes in not a day without a note. “Art is real work, music requires rigor.” And Michel Cadars wants to do it well to spread harmonious music. It’s worth mentioning that he was taught by Fred Bonnet. Always demanding, he meticulously documents rehearsals in his notebooks like musical notes.
The Cabrette Tells the Story Through Dance
A dedicated team gathers on Thursday evenings on Avenue de la Gare to practice and perpetuate the tradition of the cabrette. The Cabrette of Haut-Rouergue, led by Jean-Luc Pommier, actively participates in village festivals and cultural events. Jean-Luc Pommier, a Normand who settled in Aveyron in 1978, delights in the spontaneity and engaging nature of the cabrette. Through dances, songs, and costumes, the cabrette continues to forge connections and narrate historical tales. Despite recent setbacks due to COVID-19, the Cabrette of Haut-Rouergue remains committed to preserving its cultural heritage and sharing the history of the region.
The Gospel of “Song” Guides the Way to Joy
The association “Song” offers a choir that blends gospel, blues, and traditional American negro-spirituals. The ensemble, led by Isabelle Bertoli with accompaniment from Franck Andrieu and guitarist Thierry Cathala, exudes energy and joy in their performances. The group rehearses on Mondays at the Gare Hall, spreading positivity and spiritual well-being through their music. With a focus on sharing joy and reviving church spirit beyond religious boundaries, the choir aims to uplift individuals through their music. In challenging times, the uplifting and joyful essence of gospel music is a welcome gift to all who experience it.
