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Jacques
VIGNON (1854-1926) (photo)
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He
was a son of Antoine (weaver of muslin) and Jeanne-Marie
(embroiderer), born herself Vignon.
They had six children and lived in
Sainte-Colombe-sur-Gand and close in the hamlet of La
Sauvetey, in Chirassimont. These children established in
the villages in the surroundings, including
Chirassimont, Montchal and Panissières, a small town
above Feurs, a place where still are numerous
descendants of our family. In this branch, the tradition
of drummers was lost.
Jacques, who lived in Montchal, was the first drummer of
the family. His military document establish he learned
to play the drum in the 94th Regiment in Verdun, from
1875 to 1879.
He is certified as a drummer on 1877, April 24th.
Therefore, this date must be considered as the beginning
of the family drummers story.
Jacques was known as a good "caisse" that is proved
through this story. Farmer, he worked hard in the way of
giving a farm to each of his four children.
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Jean-Claude
VIGNON (1870-1945)
(photo-1)
- (photo-2) - (photo-3)
- (photo-4)
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Younger
brother of the previous, from who he learned to play
Drum, certainly a little before going to do his period
in the French Army. He did it, from 1891 November to
1894, September, in the 152° Regiment in Épinal
(Vosges).
Only three weeks after his arrival in the regimental
band, he became instructor for the drummers, then
Caporal.
His technical capacities thus result altogether from the
area of Chirassimont, and not from the military band,
what is exceptional. Only a few of drummers, may be
excepted in Paris, owned at this time his technical
capacities, which still today allow to do it as a
profession.
The reputation of his playing qualities and his
endurance was real. This is from this period that the
dominance of the Vignon family for all in relation with
Drum is recognized in the area, and even farther away.
He mainly had the occasions of playing during conscript
days, and also religious processions, frequent in this
time. He used to play up to he was 72. He was of course
also a founder member of the band in Chirassimont
(l'Indépendante) see text
in 1931.
Jean-Claude (or rather "Jean") put into practice his
lively and ingenious mind in a lot of simultaneous
activities see
commercial card : watches, sewing and all sorts
machines repairer, merchant of hats, saddler, weaver. He
owned several motorcycles and also one of the first cars
in the village.
He brought from the regimental band three marches for
Drum, today named "Marches de Chirassimont", still
played in our Batterie-Fanfare, but in no other place in
France, as I know.
The drum he used (photo)
takes of course a big place in the family
collection, among all the others, and is often
used for playing, bringing every time a real pleasure see roulage d'une peau animale.
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Antoine
VIGNON (1900-1967) (photo-1)
(photo-2)
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First
son of the previous.
He learned to play Drum from his youth and so could
assist his father for parades and processions, after the
14-18 war.
He quickly got the technical knowledge of his father and
so contributed efficiently to the continuity of the
familial tradition. He also was a founder member of the
Indépendante.
He also played Violin, often accompanying singers of
feasts. His nice voice was heard every Sunday in the
church during dozens years.
As a true artist, he was him also in his job, behind his
weaving looms, finding his contentment in the
realisation of complicated articles.
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Gustave
VIGNON (1905-1981) (photo-1)
- (photo-2)
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Younger
brother of the previous, he learned playing Drum, in
only some months, as it is said, in the time of the
creation of the Indépendante (1931), of which he was the
first secretary.
This late study (he was 25 or 26) prevented him from
having all qualities of the other members of the family.
However, he inherited from his father art of repairing
watches, clocks and other mechanical objects.
Having stopped his instrumental practice, he continued
exercising functions in Indépendante, as vice-president,
president, president of honour.
He encouraged it in its success, with disease, and his
advice filled with wisdom was sometimes very useful in
difficult instants.
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Robert
VIGNON (1927-1985) (photo
1)
(photo
2)
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Son
of Antoine.
Man of exception, drummer of exception.
Having begun early the study of playing Drum in a almost
obligatory way, he participated in the upturn of the
Indépendante at the end of 1944. He immediately was a
very important and active member, in any case always a
"support".
His very asserted qualities made him pointed out in the
beginning of the fifties, by a regional responsible of
the Federation Sportive et Culturelle de France. This
Federation just placed at the head of the musical
commission, Monsieur Robert Goute, young Tambour-Major
of the band of Air-Force in Paris.
Assisted by a small efficient team, he begun to go,
annually and more if necessary, to the different French
regions, for organizing sessions and individual exams
for the players of the local bands. My father was one of
the firsts taking profit of these opportunities. He
worked hard and grew up all the steps, toward the
"Premier Grand Prix Federal" in Macon (1960).
Then, he begun a long activity as a teacher. First of
course in Chirassimont, and the group of his pupils,
young drummers, was clearly distinguished, far around
Chirassimont, and brought his important contribution to
the success of the Indépendante in different
competitions see "palmarès".
A lot of bands could also take advantage of his
knowledge, through his courses. He did it with
regularity and persistence, and also incomparable
possibility of adaptation to conditions and local
features.
A lot of drummers owe him today their knowledge in the
Drum, who allowed for some of them to make occupation.
His qualities brought him in examinant function, at
regional or national level, charge that he always made
with a correctness and a probity acknowledged. That
often caused important displacements, which were made
with a real pleasure, in a time when it was rarer than
today.
His quick and premature disappearing, while he governed
the destinies of the Indépendante, left of course a big
space in every one, there are a lot, having gained
advantage from his competences and from his devotion.
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Ph.V. 1986-3-20
- rév. 2018-09-25
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