Paris Combo
| Company type | Musical ensemble |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1995 in Paris, France |
| Founder | Belle du Berry, David Lewis, François Jeannin, Potzi, Manohisa Razanajato |
| Headquarters | Paris , France |
| Products | Music albums |
| Website | www |
Paris Combo is a musical ensemble based in Paris, originally led by vocalist Belle du Berry until her passing in 2020. The group is distinguished by its diverse musical approach, merging classic French chanson and pop with American jazz and swing, while also incorporating elements from Roma and North African traditions. They have performed on stages across the globe.
Their sophomore release, Living Room (2000), marked a breakthrough in popularity, earning gold certification in France and broadening their audience in Australia and the United States, where they have toured more than twenty times.
Background
Bénédicte Grimault, born in 1966 and professionally known as Belle du Berry, pursued cinema studies in Paris before becoming part of the punk-inspired ensemble Les Pervers Polymorphes Inorganisés (PPI). In 1989, she joined Les Champêtres de Joie, a musical revue dedicated to early 20th-century chanson, collaborating with drummer François Jeannin and guitarist Potzi. This group worked alongside choreographer Philippe Decouflé for the closing ceremony of the 1992 Winter Olympics held in Albertville. During the early 1990s, Belle du Berry also took part in theatrical and film projects, including a Dadaist revue, a tribute to Boris Vian, and portrayed the singer Yvette Guilbert in the biographical movie Lautrec.
Biography
In 1994, Belle du Berry started working with Australian musician David Lewis on the musical revue Cabaret Sauvage. Lewis had relocated to France in his early twenties and trained at the Paris Conservatoire. He gained prominence within the French music scene through collaborations with artists such as Arthur H and Manu Dibango. Together with François Jeannin, Potzi, and bassist Manohisa Razanajato, they established Paris Combo in 1995.[1] Their sound evolved as they performed at cafés and on barges along the Seine River. Du Berry’s background in post-punk combined with inspirations like Arletty and the B-52's, alongside Potzi's guitar style influenced by Django and François’ ska and Latin rhythms, resulted in a distinctive fusion that captured Paris’s multicultural atmosphere.
The group's self-titled debut album released in 1997 emerged during the swing revival but was notable for its wide-ranging influences, receiving critical praise and international recognition. Their follow-up album, Living Room, attained gold status in France by 2000, reinforcing their international reach through tours spanning the United States, Australia, and Asia, as well as earning a nomination at Les Victoires de la Musique. The 2001 album Attraction was supported by performances at venues such as Paris’s Cité de la Musique.
In 2003, their track "Terrien d'Eau Douce" was honored with Best World Song at The 2nd Annual Independent Music Awards. Their fourth album, Motifs (2004), was promoted through tours across Australasia and Brazil and included an appearance at the Hollywood Bowl accompanied by the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. Following a break from recording, du Berry and Lewis released Quizz (2009) and continued their live performances.[1]
The band reunited in 2010 with new bassist Emmanuel Chabbey, embarking on extensive tours throughout Europe, the Middle East, and the United States. Their fifth studio album, 5 (2013), released under DRG/eOne, garnered favorable reviews. Subsequent tours in the US and Australia saw sold-out shows through 2015. Their most recent album to date, Tako Tsubo (2017), was followed by comprehensive international touring.[1]
Members
- Belle du Berry, French vocalist and accordion musician (passed away August 2020)
- David Lewis, Australian trumpet and piano artist
- Potzi, guitarist and banjo player, identifying as a Gypsy with Algerian heritage
- François-François (François Jeannin), French percussionist and vocalist
- Mano Razanajato, bassist and singer from Madagascar (active until 2011)
- Emmanuel Chabbey, bassist from 2011 to 2017
- Benoit Dunoyer de Segonzac (member since 2017)
Discography
- 1998 – Paris Combo (Tinder Records)
- 2001 – Living Room (Tinder Records)
- 2002 – Attraction (Ark 21)
- 2005 – Motifs (DRG Records Incorporated)
- 2005 – Live (DRG Records Incorporated)
- 2013 – 5 (DRG Records Incorporated)
- 2017 – Tako Tsubo (DRG Records Incorporated)
- 2022 – Quesaco (Six Degrees Records)
References
- Calabash Music – Paris Combo
- In-depth article on Paris Combo from Rhythm magazine
- Biography of Paris Combo
- NPR critique of Motifs