Louis Armand Aristide Bruant (May 6, 1851 - February 10, 1925) was a French cabaret singer, comedian, and nightclub owner who is best recognized as the man in the red scarf and black cape on the famous posters by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. As a young man he hung out in the working-class bistros in Motnmartre Quartre of Paris where he was able to show his musical talents. Bourgeois by birth, he soon adopted the earthy language of his haunts, turning it into songs that told of the struggles of the poor. Bruant began performing at cafe-concerts and developed a singing and comedy act that led to his being signed to appear at the Le Chat Noir club. Dressed in a red shirt, black velvet jacket, high boots, and a long red scarf, and using the stage name Aristide Bruant, he soon became a star of Montmartre, and when Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec began showing up at the cabarets and clubs, Bruant became one of the artist's first friends. 1n 1885 he opened his own Montmartre club called Le Mirliton where he sang and was master of ceremonies. A Paris street is named in his honour. ?007 TopFoto