François Charles Archile Jeanneret languages at Upper Canada College from 1912 to 1913, and joined the staff of the University of Toronto's University College in 1913. From 1926 to 1941, he directed the Ontario Ministry of Education's oral French course for teachers at Quebec City and was honored by Laval University. He was named an Officer d'Academie in 1940 by France, and was later awarded a medal from the French government in 1959 and the Pierre Chauveau Medal from the Royal Society of Canada. When he returned to the University of Toronto, Jeanneret took on several positions, including chairman of the university's School of
Gris-Gris a black man named Dr. John Montaine, who claimed to be an African potentate. Rebennack chose this name after hearing about Montaine from his sister, and feeling a "spiritual kinship" with him. Rebennack originally wanted New Orleans singer Ronnie Barron to front the band as the Dr. John character, but Don Costa, who managed Barron at the time, advised him against it, claiming it to be a bad career move. Rebennack took on the Dr. John stage name himself. "Gris-Gris" was recorded in Gold Star Studios in Los Angeles, California. With an album due and no singer prepared, Dr. John