Adele Girard

Adele Girard
Girard and Joe Marsala
Girard and Joe Marsala
Background information
Birth nameAdele Beatrice Girard
Born(1913-06-25)June 25, 1913
Holyoke, Massachusetts, U.S.
Died(1993-09-07)September 7, 1993 (aged 80)
Denver, Colorado, U.S.
GenresJazz, dixieland, swing
OccupationMusician
InstrumentHarp
SpouseJoe Marsala (1937-1978; his death)

Adele Beatrice Girard Marsala (née Girard; June 25, 1913 – September 7, 1993) was a jazz harpist associated with dixieland and swing music. She is the first woman to bring the concert harp to prominence in jazz, with only Casper Reardon preceding her. As a musician she is known by her birth name Adele Girard, but she became Adele Girard Marsala after marrying clarinetist Joe Marsala.