Louis Vola

Who was Louis Vola?

Louis Vola, was a French double-bassist famous for his work with the Quintette du Hot Club de France.

As well as the Hot Club de France, Vola played bass for Ray Ventura, Duke Ellington and singer Charles Trenet. He was also an accomplished accordionist.

In 1934 he was a founding member of the Quintette du Hot Club de France. In a 1976 interview, Vola recalled that he discovered Joseph and Django Reinhardt playing guitars together on a beach at Toulon. Vola invited them to jam with his band. Violinist Stephane Grappelli and guitarist Roger Chaput were members of Vola's jazz ensemble. Vola later left the Quintette but eventually rejoined. Obviously overshadowed by Stephane Grapelli and Django Reinhardt, Vola's contribution to the famous Quintette’s sound tends to be underestimated.