Ferdinand Balta, known professionally as Freddy Balta, was a French
accordionist, composer, arranger, and conductor born on December 21, 1919, in
Paris, France. After winning the 1938 World Accordion Championship in Paris, he
won the Grand Prix du Disque in 1949 and served as stage accompanist for singers
including Barbara, Guy Béart, Yves Montand, and Mouloudji. Balta also studied
organ under Marcel Dupré and organ improvisation under Pierre Cochereau. His
compositions were gathered in the collection Paris Musette, and his recordings
were featured on the album Passion Accordéon....