Frédéric Gomes Parisian Accordionist

Years ago, walking down Boulevard Saint-Germain in Paris on the way to lunch, the sweet, romantic sound of the accordion could be heard. A small group were playing the authentic Manouche sound of Paris near the mouth of the Metro Station, next to Place Juliette Gréco. People stopped to drop a few coins in a hat on the sidewalk. That was where these musicians sometimes did their daily practice.

After they finished playing and, as they packed up, a conversation struck up with their leader, Frédéric Gomes. He played the accordion with virtuosity, panache and a clear love for the instrument itself. We spoke of a Jazz Club in South Carolina and parted amicably. The CD Frédéric had made included an email address on the cover.

Fortunately, Bob and Lois Masteller were friends. They were owners of The Jazz Corner on Hilton Head Island. So, Bob received an email recommendation, and some time later the CD arrived for his consideration. Bob was a trumpet and flugelhorn player, but he enjoyed the sweet sound of the accordion. So it was that Frédéric and his accordion took flights from Paris to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, to join musicians selected by Bob. Serbian-American doctor, psychiatrist, and guitarist Sasha Strunjas; outdoorsman and gypsy jazz guitarist Dan Coy from Atlanta, GA; and George Scheck, a stand-up bassist who had played for Peggy Lee and retired to Hilton Head Island. This group stayed together for seven years and formed a solid friendship to play annually, until the pandemic changed everything.

Over the years, Frédéric travelled to New Orleans, where he played on the paddle-wheel river steamer on the Mississippi, to Atlanta, to New York City and to the Hilton Head Bakery owned by Chef Phillipe and Marissa Fèret and the restaurant owned by Chef Claude and Uli Melchiorri. The group were always welcomed and always played.

When in Paris, Frédéric came to dinner through the years, one time in company with Sasha when we went to the Django festival at Samois-sur-Seine near Fontainebleau. One night, after Stéphanie, Frédéric's sister, closed her restaurant in the centre of Paris, Sasha played his new guitar, and Stéphanie sang old Spanish laments. It was a hot night, and the restaurant was closed, but one door was left open to create a cool draft. In the dark outside the open door, a crowd had formed to listen quietly and applaud.

That night ran late.

In December last year, while travelling in Scotland, Sasha sent a note that Frédéric had died at 55 years of age. It was not unusual to not hear from him in a while, he wasn't a great correspondent and always found farewells emotional. It was a sad journey to Paris over the next few days, arriving the night before the funeral. His sister spoke well, and his wife read a message that he had left, fondly remembering his times in America. The chapel was full and surrounded by the love of family and friends, with musicians playing traditional music; Frédéric Gomes departed this life.

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About Frederic Gomes

Location: Paris