Paris Combo

Paris Combo is a musical group based in Paris, France that has an eclectic style, blending elements from the traditional French chanson, American jazz and swing, Roma music and North African music. The group identifies itself as a world music group. They have performed live in Europe, North America and Australia.

Members

* Belle du Berry, French, lead singer and accordion player
* Potzi, self-described Gypsy of Algerian descent, guitarist and banjo player
* François-François (a.k.a. Jean-François Jeannin), French, percussionist and singer
* Mano Razanajato, from Madagascar, bass player and singer
* David Lewis, from Australia, trumpet and piano. David moved to France in his early twenties and studied at the Paris Conservatoire. He made a name for himself on the French music scene playing with Arthur H and Manu Dibango.

Trivia

In 2006, David Lewis' mother, Elaine Lewis, published "Left Bank Waltz", a book of her experience as an Australian expat in Paris as she pursues her dream to create the "Australian Bookshop", a hub for Australian arts and culture in Paris. The book is rich with details of Paris Combo, including the musicians' early careers, the Parisian music and arts scene, and the band's first gig [ [http://www.randomhouse.com.au/WEB_ASP/ttle_detail.asp?isbn=1740513495 Left Bank Waltz, Elaine Lewis, Random House Australia] , ISBN 1-74051-349-5] .

Discography

* 1998 - "Paris Combo" ( [http://www.tinderrecords.com Tinder Records] )
* 2001 - "Living Room" (Tinder Records)
* 2002 - "Attraction" ( [http://www.4rfv.co.uk/brieflisting.asp?scategory=238&company=16516&start=0 Ark 21] )
* 2003 - "Cafe De Flore: Rendez-Vous A Saint-Germain Des Pre" (compilation album) ( [http://www.sunnysiderecords.com/news.php Sunnyside] )
* 2005 - "Motifs" ( [http://www.drgrecords.com/index.asp DRG Records Incorporated] )
* 2005 - "Live" (DRG Records Incorporated)

References

* [http://pariscombo.calabashmusic.com Calabash Music - Paris Combo] - accessed January 7, 2006
* [http://www.eyefortalent.com/eft-press/pariscombo-globalrhythm-june2002.pdf Feature article on "Paris Combo" from "Rhythm" magazine] - accessed January 7, 2006
* [http://www.rfimusique.com/siteEn/biographie/biographie_6186.asp Paris Combo Biography] - accessed January 7, 2006
* [http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4467624 NPR review of "Motifs" album] - accessed January 7, 2006

External links

* [http://pariscombo.artistes.universalmusic.fr/ Official Website]
*musicbrainz artist|id=b3365cc7-49b5-4a7f-b878-80487aad59c1|name=Paris Combo