Nougaro + New York = NOUGAYORK!

​In 1987 Claude Nougaro and his wife Hélène, both originally from Toulouse in the Occitanie Region, left for New York, seeking to energize his creativity. He was given two phone numbers: Philippe Saisse’s, a young talented French jazz musician, composer, record producer, and arranger already connected with the best musicians in the US, and Sue Mingus’s, the widow of Charlie Mingus who offered hospitality. While he absorbed the Big Apple, Claude wrote lyrics that grasped the electrifying energy of the city. From JFK airport to Harlem; Passing through Central Park, and the Statue of Liberty he paid tribute to landmarks and jazz icons. He brought his yellow pad to Philippe who wrote the music, produced & recorded the album Nougayork in 1987. The title song rode to the top of the chart and stayed there for months. In 1988, "Les Victoires de la Musique" (French Music Awards) awarded Claude "Best Artist" and "Best Album" of the Year.
On display drawings of the artist and never shown memorabilia of the recording and of the couple’s time in NYC.

​Join us to celebrate the enduring legacy of Claude Nougaro and don't miss this extraordinary fusion of Occitan culture and the dynamism of New York City, brought to you by La Maison de l'Occitanie New York. Co-curated by Hélène Nougaro and Nicole Peyrafitte.