Rue du Quai

Rue du Quai, founded more than 10 years ago, had gradually disappeared from the scene, but in 2010,  the sleeping band reformed under the impetus of its new leader.

There were only three members left from the old Rue du Quai group, but thanks to Jean-Claude, the gang has been reconstituted. 

Of the founding members, there is now only one left… Polo, who at the age of 87, accompanies his friends on the accordion. “I started playing the violin at the age of seven and then turned to the accordion that I never left. So I have 80 years of music behind me,” notes Polo.

In addition to the five singers, two accordionists, a violinist and a guitarist are part of the group. They explain, “Our repertoire consists of traditional sailors’ songs, the Shanties, which accompanied  manoeuvres on sailing boats and sea songs that everyone knows, such as La Mer de Trenet.” 

On the origin of their name, it’s reported to be quite simple, “in each port, whether small or large, there is a rue du Quai which is often the meeting point of the inhabitants and evokes the maritime life that we find in the songs”.

In 2012, they participated in the 100th anniversary of the SNSM, (the French Lifeboat Service, which they generously support) the Fête Venitienne, the Pédernec horse festival /  the Puces de mer. 

“We are all sailors in the soul and our motivation is the pleasure of singing together and making tourists discover all these songs that have accompanied the age of sail.”  “Our singing tour and sound equipment allows us to play in local festivals, such as those mentioned above, port and association festivals or in front of smaller audiences, in café-concerts”.

Note: Not to be confused with another four-piece folk group of the same name and also another Shanty group, entitled “3 Rue du Quai.”