Aristide Bruant

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Aristide Bruant (May 6, 1851 – February 10, 1925) was a French cabaret singer, comedian, and nightclub owner who is best recognized as the man in the red scarf and black cape on the famous posters by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec.

Aristide Bruant by Lautrec

Born Louis Armand Aristide Bruant in the village of Courtenay, Loiret, he left his home at age fifteen following his father's death to find employment. Making his way to the Montmartre Quarter of Paris, he hung out in the working-class bistros, where he finally was given an opportunity to show his musical talents. Although bourgeois by birth, he soon adopted the earthy language of his haunts, turning it into songs that told of the struggles of the poor. Bruant began performing at cafe-concerts and developed a singing and comedy act that led to his being signed to appear at the famous Le Chat Noir club. Dressed in a red shirt, black velvet jacket, high boots, and a long red scarf, and using the stage name Aristide Bruant, he soon became a star of Montmartre, and when Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec began showing up at the cabarets and clubs, Bruant became one of the artist's first friends.

In 1885, Bruant opened his own Montmartre club, a place he called "Le Mirliton." Although he hired other acts, Bruant put on a singing performance of his own. As the master of ceremonies for the various acts, he used the comedy of the insult to poke fun at the club's upper-crust guests who were out "slumming" in Montmartre.

Aristide Bruant died in Paris and was buried in the cimetière de Subligny, near his birthplace in the département of Loiret. A street in Paris was named in his honor.

Some of Bruant's better known songs: