Caty, Jules

Jan Dewilde

After his high-standard classical training (cello, piano and theoretical courses with Francis de Bourguignon) Jules Caty devoted himself mostly to ‘light music’. Some of his popular titles include: La marche joyeuse, La fiesta, Habanera, Esquisse hongroise, Arabesque, Sérénade Norvégienne.

He also wrote some jazzy numbers, sometimes together with Lucien Poliet, and he dedicated compositions to jazz pianist John Ouwerx. In 1949 SABAM awarded him a prize for his Spanish pictures and in 1958 for his Triptique de concert. In 1977, SABAM gave him the award for ‘light music’, together with Willy Albimoor. In addition he also wrote pieces for the Quatuor belge de trombones (Trois bagatelles) and for the Quatuor Mireille Flour (Deux pièces pour 4 harpes).

In 1954 he composed incidental music for the Koninklijk Jeugdtheater (Royal Youth Theatre) in Antwerp. He also wrote the accompaniment music for the acts of the magician Suzy Wandas.

Caty worked for SABAM as well, as a member of the Radio Commission, the Propaganda Commission and the comity of the Association des membres SABAM - Brabant.

In 1980 he and his wife died in a car accident.