Charly B

Charly B
Charly B – Rototom Sunsplash Festival 2010 Spain.
Background information
Birth name	Charles Blanvillain
Also known as	Charly B
Labels	Geejam Recordings, Forward Recordings
Associated acts	Inout Experience

Charly B, born Charles Blanvillain in 1981, is a French reggae singer-songwriter who performs, and whose music is distributed, internationally.

Biography

Debut

Born in Rome to a family of musicians, he is of French, German and Armenian descent. At the age of 4, his family moved to Geneva, where he spent most of his childhood. He was fascinated by music, and discovered reggae at the age of 15, when he spent a year at IONA High School in Jamaica, living with a Jamaican family, in a program sponsored by the American Field Service. Later on, he studied sound engineering at the School of Recording Arts, Canada and at the Sound and Audio Engineering School in Geneva.

He composed his first reggae song at the age of 15. His musical studies in Canada, long visit to Jamaica, and time spent living in France near the Swiss border form the cultural underpinnings of his artistic vision. He has collaborated with legends of dancehall reggae such as Capleton, Kiprich, De Marco and Anthony B.

Career

In 2002, at the age of 21, he was voted best DJ in Geneva.^[1][2] In 2003, he wrote a song for the movie "Destination Jamaica" by George Tait (Jungle George)^[3] In December 2003, his song "My Queen" was included in a DVD distributed with the Austrian surfers' magazine Methodmag^[4][5] (60,000 copies). In 2005 he was voted the best DJ in Switzerland, in a contest organized by Giddeon Productions.^[6][7] Unfortunately, he was not able to take advantage of the prize, a concert on the main stage of Rototom Sunsplash Festival 2005, as he had committed to visit Jamaica that summer. He therefore gave the prize to Elijah, the runner-up in the competition. In 2007, Eliane Dambre of the Ateliers du Funambule, decided to nominate him for the Eurovision competition as Switzerland's candidate,^[8] (in competition with DJ Bobo), but the attempt was made too late to qualify him for the contest. More recently, in 2009, he won an award for "Best Reggae Song"^[9] in the Reggae Europe competition. He has registered more than 100 songs composed by him (music and lyrics), in French and English and in Jamaican slang, with the French-based Society of Lyricists, Composers and Music Editors (SACEM).^[10]

Encounter with Jon Baker

In summer 2009, he had what he referred to as "a crucial encounter" with the producer Jon Baker, and recorded his album "Forever" at Geejam Studios^[11] (to be released in 2011 under the Geejam Recordings/ Forward Recordings label). This was a very important introduction for the artist, as the British producer (a friend of Chris Blackwell, founder of Island Records), has discovered many talented performers, among them most recently the reggae singer Alborosie and The Jolly Boys. As a result, Charly B gained the confidence of Reggae Europe, who co-produced the "Forever" album.^[12]

Tours and international invitations

At the end of 2009, he was invited to Leipzig to meet Pionear from Germaican Records,^[13] then by Stylordz of Toronto^[14][15] to New York for the anniversary of Zulu Nation. In Toronto he shot a music video for the song "Ooh No". In 2010, at the invitation of the CAMA Festival,^[16] he visited Hanoï and Ho Chi Minh City. Upon his return, he attended the ROTOTOM Sunsplash Festival^[17][18] in August 2010. He divides his time between Jamaica and France.

Discography

Albums

• 2000 : Chu-chu Stylordz Production – Canada
• 2001 : Move Stylordz Production – Canada
• 2002 : Vengence to God Ladies Party
• 2003 : My Queen Pow Pow records – MethodMag – Europe
• 2004 : Album Reality Redhemption Production
• 2004 : Album More Reality Redhemption Production
• 2005 : Album Thugz Style Severely III Production, La plus belle femme (Video clip on TVM3)
• 2006 : Album Family Affair Redhumption Production, Several titles in album Hemp Higher Sound
• 2007 : Album International Ting – Charly B and the Official Band
• 2008 : Album Zulu Nation Stylordz Production – Canada (Amazon.com an E-music.com)
• 2009 : Several titles in the album Redhemption Sound fi All Africans
• 2010 : Album Tomorrow is just another day (with Henry P.).
• Release in 2011: Album Forever

Singles

• Rock and come in
• Le rêveur
• The dreamer
• Brown Eyes

Video clips

• Chu-chu – shot in Canada
• La plus belle femme – shot in Nyon, Switzerland
• On s'empare de la party – shot with La Dixion in Switzerland
• The way you wine- shot in Port Antonio in Jamaica by the studios Geejam
• Ooh No – shot in Toronto au Canada
• Two documentary videos – shot in Port Antonio en Jamaica
• Documentary video shot in New York nov. 2009 for the anniverary of Zulu Nation
• Vidéo of the radio interview in Toronto, Canada
• Forever – shot in Port Antonio, Jamaica in Sept. 2010.
• Video of the ROTOTOM Sunsplash festival concert in August 2010

TV Program

• "Special Charly B" on TVM3's TRIBBU show, presented by Philippe Morax (on the air 2005 Nov. 1, from 18h to 19h30).

Shows

• Summer 2003 – Sunrise Festival of Bagnols-sur-Ceze (France)
• 7.1.2005 – Stadium of Sembrancher, Switzerland
• 10.2.2005 – The Hacienda, Chambéry, France
• 3.3.2005 – The Safari Bar – Chamonix, France
• 22.4.2005 – No'Limit – Courchevel, France
• 13.5.2005 Le matin bleu, Annecy, France
• 4.6.2005 – Salzhaus – Winterthur, Switzerland – Singjay Contest 2005
• 10.6.2005 – Schiffbau, Zurich, Switzerland
• 14–20 Nov. 2005 -Palexpo, Fair of Geneva, Switzerland (first part of Michel Fugain)^[19]
• 15.6.2005 – Reggae Radio Zurich, Switzerland – Radio show – final – Swiss Singjay Contest
• 27.8.2005 – Turatznurg – Zollikon, Switzerland
• 9.9.2005 – Flon Jugendkulturraum – St. Gallen, Switzerland
• 10.9.2005 – Salle du Séminaire – Porrentruy, Switzerland
• 21.9.2005 – Doors 72 – Bienne, Switzerland
• 18.11.2005 – Bist'rock café, Geneva, Switzerland
• 25.1.2006 – L'auberge du télé – Contamines, Montjoie, France
• 7.1.2006 – Gaskessel – La Coupole – Bienne, Switzerland
• 25.1.2006 – Contamines Montjoie, France
• 18.2.2006 – Alte Kaserne, Zürich, Switzerland
• 17.3.2006 – L'arcade – Geneva, Switzerland
• 6.4.2006 – Piment Rouge – Artamis, Geneva, Switzerland
• 28.4.2006 – Flon Jugendkulturraum – St. Gallen Switzerland
• 29.4.2006 – Sputnik – Mettmenstetten, Switzerland
• 27.5.2006 – Kulturzentrum Schützi – Olten, Switzerland
• 30.9.2006 – La Coupole Bienne, Switzerland
• 20.10.2006 – Ex-Cubitano, Zurich, Switzerland
• 20.12.2006 – Le Chat Noir, Geneva, Switzerland
• 30.12.2006 Arcade, Geneva, Switzerland
• 5.1.2007 Piment Rouge, Geneva(1st part of Yannis Odua), Switzerland
• 6.1.2007 Cosy Bay, Lausanne, Switzerland
• 13.1.2007 KBar Geneva, Switzerland
• 19.1.2007 Loft – Crans Montana, Switzerland
• 26.1.2007 – Loft, Crans Montana, Switzerland
• 2.3.2007 Thyon les Collons (VS) Switzerland
• 9.2.2007 – Doors 72 – Bienne, Switzerland
• 22.2.2007 Matin Bleu, Annecy, France
• 24.2.2007, Gringo Club, Villars, Switzerland
• 2.3.2007 Kbar, Geneva, Switzerland
• 9 mars 2007 – Jet d'eau – Le bateau Geneva, Switzerland
• 10.3.2007 Blue Moon Café, Logras, Rhône Alpes, France
• 24.3.2007 Stand up festival, Bühlhalle, Switzerland
• 20.4.2007 Kbar Geneva, Switzerland
• 26.4.2007 Zélig, Dorigny, Lausanne, Switzerland
• 27.4.2007 Le matin Bleu, Geneva, Switzerland)
• Mai 2007: Concert au cours du Spectacle annuel des Ateliers du Funambule au théâtre de Terre-Sainte à Coppet, Switzerland
• 7–10 juin 2007 – Caribana FESTIVAL – Nyon Switzerland^[20][21]
• 30.6.2007 – Piment Rouge, Geneva, Switzerland
• 12.10.2007 Usine de Nyon – Nyon, Switzerland
• 7.12.2007 – Alte Kaserne, Zurich, Switzerland
• 2.2.2008 – Gaskessel – La Coupole, Bienne, Switzerland
• 16.2.2008 – Cosmos, Thyon les Collons – VS, Switzerland
• 14.6.2008 – Rote Fabrik, Zurich, Switzerland
• 16.8.2008 – Lakesplash – Seematte Twaan, Switzerland
• 15.9.2007 – Snowboard contest Tignes, France
• 2.2.08 – Concert à Gaskessel, Bern, Switzerland
• 15.11.2008 – C.e.r.m – Martigny, Switzerland
• 21.11.08 – La Coupole, Bienne – Switzerland
• 24.12.2008 – Alte Kaserne – Zurich – Switzerland
• 24.4.2009 Celtic Tavern, Aurillac, France
• 8.01.09 – KAB de l'usine – GenevaSwitzerland
• 9.1.09 – Bar59 – Luzern Switzerland
• 10.4.2009 – Regg'Ain Festival, Segny, France
• 27.6.2009 – Sky club – Nyon Switzerland
• 10.10.2009 – Leipzig^[22] (Allemagne)
• November 2009 – New York (USA) (Anniversary Zulu Nation – Bronx) and Toronto^[23] *12.12.09 – Bar 59 – Luzern Switzerland
• 19.12.2009 – Bashment – GenevaSwitzerland
• 26.12.2009 – Rockinton Music Pub – Thonon les bains (France)
• 27.3.2010 Les Contamines Montjoie, France
• 1–27 Mai 2010 – Vietnam Tour between Hanoï and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
• 28.5.2010 – Reggae dancehall party – Saint-Genis, France
• 23.7.2010 – Siroco Club – Barcelona, Spain
• 24.8.2010 – ROTOTOM SUNSPLASH FESTIVAL 2010 in Benicassim in Spain
• 27.11.2010 – Crystal Club, Port Antonio (Jamaica)
• 26.2.2011 – Success Prod – St Genis (France) with Inout Experience Band from Paris

Notes and references

1. ^ [1]^{[dead link]}
2. ^ "Mx3 – Charly.B & THE OFFICIAL – Reggae ragga ska dub". Mx3.ch. http://www.mx3.ch/artist/charlybtheofficial. Retrieved 10 November 2011. 
3. ^ "Exclusive Reggae/Rasta DVD's". Reggaefilms.co.uk. http://www.reggaefilms.co.uk/dvdscontent.html. Retrieved 10 November 2011. 
4. ^ "Snowboard Magazine | Method Magazine". Methodmag.com. http://www.methodmag.com/. Retrieved 10 November 2011. 
5. ^ Method Magazine, Snowboard DVD MAG nr. 2, v. 4.2, December 2003
6. ^ "Siwss Singjay Contest 4.6.05 Salzhaus [Archiv". Aightgenossen.ch. http://www.aightgenossen.ch/archive/index.php/t-144282.html. Retrieved 10 November 2011. 
7. ^ "Internet Archive Wayback Machine". Web.archive.org. 26 October 2005. http://web.archive.org/web/20051026120146/www.gideonproduction.ch/singjaycontest.htm. Retrieved 10 November 2011. 
8. ^ Article on the Swiss newspaper "20 minutes" of 6 December 2006 in the section "People"
9. ^ "Charly B vainqueur avec son titre My Sound". Reggae.fr. http://www.reggae.fr/lire-news/3302_200908_Charly-B-vainqueur-avec-son-titre-My-Sound.html. Retrieved 10 November 2011. 
10. ^ "Société des auteurs, compositeurs et éditeurs de musique – Wikipédia" (in (French)). Fr.wikipedia.org. http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/SACEM. Retrieved 10 November 2011. 
11. ^ "Geejam Recording Studio – Jamaica Music & State of the Art Recording Studio". Geejamstudios.com. http://www.geejamstudios.com/. Retrieved 10 November 2011. 
12. ^ "Charly B pour toujours". Reggae.fr. http://www.reggae.fr/lire-news/4769_201012_Charly-B-pour-toujours.html. Retrieved 10 November 2011. 
13. ^ "makin' ends meet". germaica.net. http://www.germaica.net/wp_english/. Retrieved 10 November 2011. 
14. ^ "Hip Hop Culture". Stylordz. http://www.stylordz.com/. Retrieved 10 November 2011. 
15. ^ [2]^{[dead link]}
16. ^ "::::: CAMA Festival 2011 May 28th Hanoi Vietnam :::::". Camafestival.com. http://www.camafestival.com/. Retrieved 10 November 2011. 
17. ^ "Lion Stage: Charly B". Rototomsunsplash.com. http://www.rototomsunsplash.com/fr/news/116-lion-stage/2075-lion-stage-charly-b. Retrieved 10 November 2011. 
18. ^ "Live – Charlie B & Princess Erika Lion Stage 2010 ERC". Rototomsunsplash.com. 5 November 2010. http://www.rototomsunsplash.com/en/multimedia/video/live/viewvideo/631/live-2010-lion-stage/charlie-b-a-princess-erika. Retrieved 10 November 2011. 
19. ^ "header". Funambule.ch. http://www.funambule.ch/historique.html. Retrieved 10 November 2011. 
20. ^ [3]^{[dead link]}
21. ^ "Error: no |title= specified when using {{Cite web}}". Archives.tdg.ch. http://archives.tdg.ch/TG/TG/-/article-2007-06-726/tous-les-festivals-caribana-festival-rens. Retrieved 10 November 2011. 
22. ^ "FLY HIGH! VOL.12 – THE FRENCH LINK UP – germaica.net – makin' ends meet". germaica.net. http://www.germaica.net/wp_english/2009/10/05/fly-high-vol12-the-french-link-up/. Retrieved 10 November 2011. 
23. ^ "Stylordz achievements list". Stylordz.com. http://www.stylordz.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=200:stylordz-achievements-list&catid=3:newsflash&Itemid=53. Retrieved 10 November 2011. 

External links

• CharlyB's official web site
• Profil MySpace
• Reggae Europe
• ReverbNation
• Reggae France
• Giddeon Productions
• Hanoi News

Persondata
Name	Charles Blanvillain
Alternative names	Charly B
Short description	reggae musician
Date of birth	28 September 1981
Place of birth	Rome, Italy
Date of death
Place of death