Gérard Joyal

Canadian (Québec) fiddler from Drummondville born April 8 1921 and died April 17 1989 (68 years old), known for playing traditional folklore and reels. Brother of Laurent Joyal, he was one of 10 children, and both his parents played the accordion. He learned the violin at a very young age: at 9 years old, he played for family parties, and at 11, he played his first professional "gig" on CHLN Radio, in Trois-Rivières, Québec. At age 18, to the surprise of his entourage, he leaves the violin for the accordeon, which he also masters, but eventually goes back to the violin. His nickname, "Ti-Noir", or "Li'l Black", came from being compared to the TV Star fiddler, Ti-Blanc Richard, or "Li'l White". A regular performer on the TV variety shows "Jamboree" and "Variétés Paul Lemire", in 1964 he was also named the Provincial Violin Champion, and for 4 consecutive years he qualified for the Shelburne Fiddler Contest final, which brought together the best North American violinists. Although he never sought honors or awards, his native Drummondville named him Emeritus Citizen in 1983 in honor of his 50-year career and being an ambassador of sorts for his hometown. Posthumously, and sadly, only temporarily, the World Folklore Festival ("Festival mondial de folklore"), later called the World Culture Festival ("Mondial des cultures") named their main stage after Ti-Noir in 1990.