Martin Meissonnier
Encyclopedia
Martin Meissonnier is a French journalist, producer, director and composer. Formerly a journalist for Libération
, he has made a specialty of discovering new types of music. In the 1970s brought numerous jazz musicians to France, such as Don Cherry
, the Art Ensemble of Chicago, John Lee Hooker
and Dizzy Gillespie
.
In the early 1980s, he became the producer of Fela Kuti
, King Sunny Ade
, in 1984 Ray Lema
, Manu Dibango
in 1986 Papa Wemba
, and Wasis Diop
. In 1986, he organised the first raï festival in Bobigny. He worked with Khaled
, Safy Boutella
, Amina, Arthur H
, in 1994 Robert Plant
& Jimmy Page
, and Alan Stivell
.
In 1989 to 1994, he directed Megamix for la Sept on France 3 and then Arte, world music magazine which ran for six years on French television and other many countries. Since, he directed documentary films for Arte and Canal+, including several programmes about History, the Internet, digital art, rap, and the techno movement. In 2001, his book about depleted uranium entitled Uranium appauvri : la guerre invisible was published by Robert Laffont.
Libération
Libération is a French daily newspaper founded in Paris by Jean-Paul Sartre and Serge July in 1973 in the wake of the protest movements of May 1968. Originally a leftist newspaper, it has undergone a number of shifts during the 1980s and 1990s...
, he has made a specialty of discovering new types of music. In the 1970s brought numerous jazz musicians to France, such as Don Cherry
Don Cherry (jazz)
Donald Eugene Cherry was an innovative African-American jazz cornetist whose career began with a long association with saxophonist Ornette Coleman. He went on to live in many parts of the world and work with a wide variety of musicians.-Biography:Cherry was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and...
, the Art Ensemble of Chicago, John Lee Hooker
John Lee Hooker
John Lee Hooker was an American blues singer-songwriter and guitarist.Hooker began his life as the son of a sharecropper, William Hooker, and rose to prominence performing his own unique style of what was originally closest to Delta blues. He developed a 'talking blues' style that was his trademark...
and Dizzy Gillespie
Dizzy Gillespie
John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie was an American jazz trumpet player, bandleader, singer, and composer dubbed "the sound of surprise".Together with Charlie Parker, he was a major figure in the development of bebop and modern jazz...
.
In the early 1980s, he became the producer of Fela Kuti
Fela Kuti
Fela Anikulapo Kuti , or simply Fela , was a Nigerian multi-instrumentalist musician and composer, pioneer of Afrobeat music, human rights activist, and political maverick.-Biography:...
, King Sunny Ade
King Sunny Adé
King Sunny Adé is a popular performer of Yoruba Nigerian Jùjú music and a pioneer of modern world music. He has been classed as one of the most influential musicians of all time.-Background:...
, in 1984 Ray Lema
Ray Lema
Raymond Lema A'nsi Nzinga, known as Ray Lema, is a Congolese musician born March 30, 1946 in Lufu-Toto, Bas-Congo Province.Lema is a pianist, guitarist, and songwriter. He worked for the National Ballet of Zaire, as it was then called, and in 1979 was invited to the United States by the...
, Manu Dibango
Manu Dibango
-External links:*...
in 1986 Papa Wemba
Papa Wemba
Papa Wemba was born Jules Shungu Wembadio Pene Kikumba in 1949 in Lubefu . He is a Congolese rumba musician, one of Africa's most popular musicians, and prominent in World music.-Zaiko Langa Langa:...
, and Wasis Diop
Wasis Diop
Wasis Diop is a Senegalese musician of international renown, known for blending traditional Senegalese folk music with modern pop and jazz...
. In 1986, he organised the first raï festival in Bobigny. He worked with Khaled
Khaled (musician)
Khaled Hadj Ibrahim , better known as Khaled, is a raï singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist born in Sidi El Houari in Oran Province of Algeria...
, Safy Boutella
Safy Boutella
Safy Boutella is an Algerian jazz musician, who plays both bass guitar and synthesizer.He is the father of famous dancer Sofia Boutella.- Discography :Studio albums*Kutché - with Khaled...
, Amina, Arthur H
Arthur H
Arthur Higelin , better known under his stage name Arthur H , is a pianist, songwriter and singer. He is best known in France for his live performances - four of his albums were recorded live - and remains relatively little-known in the English-speaking world.-Career:He is the son of the French...
, in 1994 Robert Plant
Robert Plant
Robert Anthony Plant, CBE is an English singer and songwriter best known as the vocalist and lyricist of the iconic rock band Led Zeppelin. He has also had a successful solo career...
& Jimmy Page
Jimmy Page
James Patrick "Jimmy" Page, OBE is an English multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and record producer. He began his career as a studio session guitarist in London and was subsequently a member of The Yardbirds from 1966 to 1968, after which he founded the English rock band Led Zeppelin.Jimmy Page...
, and Alan Stivell
Alan Stivell
Alan Stivell is a Breton musician and singer, recording artist and master of the celtic harp who from the early 1970s revived global interest in the Celtic harp and Celtic music as part of world music.- Background: learning Breton music and culture :Alan was born in the Auvergnat town of Riom...
.
In 1989 to 1994, he directed Megamix for la Sept on France 3 and then Arte, world music magazine which ran for six years on French television and other many countries. Since, he directed documentary films for Arte and Canal+, including several programmes about History, the Internet, digital art, rap, and the techno movement. In 2001, his book about depleted uranium entitled Uranium appauvri : la guerre invisible was published by Robert Laffont.
Albums (producer)
- Aziz Sahmaoui - University of Gnawa (album, 2011, General Pattern)
- Louis BertignacLouis BertignacLouis Bertignac is a French guitarist, vocalist and songwriter. An ex Shakin' Street member and a founding member in 1976 of the rock band Téléphone, he formed Bertignac et les Visiteurs after Téléphone split in 1986...
- Grizzly (ça c’est vraiment moi) (album, 2010, Polydor) - KhaledKhaled (musician)Khaled Hadj Ibrahim , better known as Khaled, is a raï singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist born in Sidi El Houari in Oran Province of Algeria...
- Liberté (album, 2009, Universal) - Seun KutiSeun KutiOluseun Anikulapo Kuti , commonly known as Seun Kuti, is a Nigerian musician, and the youngest son of legendary afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti. Seun leads his father's former band Egypt 80....
& Fela's Egypt 80 - Many Things (album, 2008, Tôt ou Tard - Disorient Records) - Bigmen - Reggae + Rai (album, 2001, Virgin) featuring Gregory IsaacsGregory IsaacsGregory Anthony Isaacs was a Jamaican reggae musician. Milo Miles, writing in the New York Times, described Isaacs as "the most exquisite vocalist in reggae". His nicknames include Cool Ruler and Lonely Lover....
, Sly & Robbie, Sugar MinottSugar MinottLincoln Barrington "Sugar" Minott was a Jamaican reggae singer, producer and sound-system operator.-Biography:...
, Chaka Demus & PliersChaka Demus & PliersChaka Demus & Pliers are a Jamaican reggae duo made up of deejay Chaka Demus and singer Pliers, best known for their hit "Tease Me".They had more commercial success with mainstream pop fans after their collaboration in the early 1990s, that either ever had in their solo careers.-Career:Both artists...
, Cheb Anouar, Cheb TarikCheb TarikCheb Tarik is an Algerian musician, now based in Paris, France, and signed to Universal Music Group. His first hit, 'Reggae Raï' was a cover, and a tribute to the song 'Reggae Night' by Cheb Hasni, a musician assassinated in Oran, Algeria by Islamic fundamentalists.Reggae Raï held a place in the...
, KhaledKhaled (musician)Khaled Hadj Ibrahim , better known as Khaled, is a raï singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist born in Sidi El Houari in Oran Province of Algeria...
, etc... - Robert PlantRobert PlantRobert Anthony Plant, CBE is an English singer and songwriter best known as the vocalist and lyricist of the iconic rock band Led Zeppelin. He has also had a successful solo career...
& Jimmy PageJimmy PageJames Patrick "Jimmy" Page, OBE is an English multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and record producer. He began his career as a studio session guitarist in London and was subsequently a member of The Yardbirds from 1966 to 1968, after which he founded the English rock band Led Zeppelin.Jimmy Page...
- No Quarter: Jimmy Page and Robert Plant UnleddedNo Quarter: Jimmy Page and Robert Plant UnleddedNo Quarter is a live album by Page and Plant, both formerly of English rock band Led Zeppelin. It was released by Atlantic Records on 14 October 1994. The long awaited reunion between Page and Plant occurred on a 90 minute "UnLedded" MTV project, recorded in Morocco, Wales, and London, which rated...
(preproduction on the songs Yalla & A wonderful One) (1996, Mercury) - Alan StivellAlan StivellAlan Stivell is a Breton musician and singer, recording artist and master of the celtic harp who from the early 1970s revived global interest in the Celtic harp and Celtic music as part of world music.- Background: learning Breton music and culture :Alan was born in the Auvergnat town of Riom...
- Brian Boru (album, 1995, Dreyfus) - Arthur HArthur HArthur Higelin , better known under his stage name Arthur H , is a pianist, songwriter and singer. He is best known in France for his live performances - four of his albums were recorded live - and remains relatively little-known in the English-speaking world.-Career:He is the son of the French...
- Arthur H (album, 1990, Polydor) (as co-producer with Arthur H) - Amina - albums Yalil (1990), Wadiye (1992) and two songs on Annabi (1999)
- Papa WembaPapa WembaPapa Wemba was born Jules Shungu Wembadio Pene Kikumba in 1949 in Lubefu . He is a Congolese rumba musician, one of Africa's most popular musicians, and prominent in World music.-Zaiko Langa Langa:...
- Esclave (album, 1989, Celluloid) - Carmel - Sally remix (single, 1988, London records)
- Wasis DiopWasis DiopWasis Diop is a Senegalese musician of international renown, known for blending traditional Senegalese folk music with modern pop and jazz...
- Soweto Dal (single, 1988, Nova) - Yasuaki ShimizuYasuaki Shimizuis a composer, saxophonist and producer. He is known for his interpretations of the music of J.S. Bach, in particular the "Cello Suites 1-6" re-arranged for and performed on tenor saxophone....
-Subliminal (album, 1988, JVC) - KhaledKhaled (musician)Khaled Hadj Ibrahim , better known as Khaled, is a raï singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist born in Sidi El Houari in Oran Province of Algeria...
/ Safy BoutellaSafy BoutellaSafy Boutella is an Algerian jazz musician, who plays both bass guitar and synthesizer.He is the father of famous dancer Sofia Boutella.- Discography :Studio albums*Kutché - with Khaled...
- Kutche (album, 1987, Pomme Music-Sony) - Afrika BambaataaAfrika BambaataaAfrika Bambaataa is an American DJ from the South Bronx, New York who was instrumental in the early development of hip hop throughout the 1980s. Afrika Bambaataa is one of the three originators of break-beat deejaying, and is respectfully known as the "Grandfather" and the Amen Ra of Universal...
- U don't have to be a star (single, 1987, Nova) (co-producer with Yasuaki ShimizuYasuaki Shimizuis a composer, saxophonist and producer. He is known for his interpretations of the music of J.S. Bach, in particular the "Cello Suites 1-6" re-arranged for and performed on tenor saxophone....
) - Tony AllenTony Allen (musician)Tony Oladipo Allen is aNigerian drummer, composer, and songwriter who currently lives and works in Paris. He is currently writing his autobiography "Tony Allen: Master Drummer of Afrobeat" with author/musician Michael E...
- Too Many prisoners (album, 1987, Barclay) - Ray LemaRay LemaRaymond Lema A'nsi Nzinga, known as Ray Lema, is a Congolese musician born March 30, 1946 in Lufu-Toto, Bas-Congo Province.Lema is a pianist, guitarist, and songwriter. He worked for the National Ballet of Zaire, as it was then called, and in 1979 was invited to the United States by the...
- Medecine (album, 1985, Celluloid) - Manu DibangoManu Dibango-External links:*...
- Abele Dance (single, 1984) and Manu Seventies (album, 1988) - King Sunny AdéKing Sunny AdéKing Sunny Adé is a popular performer of Yoruba Nigerian Jùjú music and a pioneer of modern world music. He has been classed as one of the most influential musicians of all time.-Background:...
& his African Beats - Juju Music (album, 1982), Synchro System (album,1983), and Aura (album, 1984) - Fela Anikulapo Kuti - Black President (album, 1981, Arista), Original Suffer Head (album, 1981, Arista)
- Okay TemizOkay TemizOkay Temiz is a leading Turkish fusion jazz percussionist and drummer.-Discography:* Maffy Falay & Sevda: ditto. * Maffy Falay & Sevda: Live at Jazzhus Montmartre....
- Zikir (album, 1979, Sun Records/King records) - Don CherryDon Cherry (jazz)Donald Eugene Cherry was an innovative African-American jazz cornetist whose career began with a long association with saxophonist Ornette Coleman. He went on to live in many parts of the world and work with a wide variety of musicians.-Biography:Cherry was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and...
- Music/Sangam (album, 1979, Europa Records) (as co-producer with Pierre Lattès)
Soundtracks (composer)
- Rose, c'est Paris, film by Bettina RheimsBettina RheimsBettina Rheims is a French artist and photographer. She is the daughter of Maurice Rheims, of the French Academy. Her sister Nathalie is an actress, writer and film producer...
& Serge BramlySerge BramlySerge Bramly is a French language writer and essayist.-Biography:He was born into a Jewish family in Tunis, Tunisia. When he was ten years old, his family emigrated to France...
(2010, Arte/Productions Campagne Première) - Unter Bauern, film by Ludi Boeken (2009, Acajou Films, Pandora, Filmforum)
- Reporters, serie directed by Suzan Fenn & Ivan Straburg (2007–2009, Capa Drama/Canal+)
- The Great Match, film by Gerardo Olivares (2006, Wanda Films) (in competition at Berlinale 2006)
- Death of Diana, documentary by David Carr Brown (2003, Psychology News UK/ABC-Channel 5 UK)
- l’Affaire Clearstream, documentary by Denis RobertDenis RobertDenis Robert is a French freelance journalist and a writer. Robert formerly worked for Libération newspaper for 12 years....
(2003, The Factory/Canal +) - Inside Broadmoor, documentary by David Carr Brown (2002, Psychology News UK/Channel 5 UK)
- République Atomique documentary by David Carr Brown (2001, Artline/ARTE)
- Spin Doctors, documentary by Luc Hermann & Gilles Bovon (2001, Canal+)
- Les 100 photos du Siècle, documentary (1998, Capa)
- Tripalium by Christophe Loizillon (1996 – Vertigo productions)
- Les Guignols de l'InfoLes Guignols de l'infoLes Guignols de l'info is a satirical latex puppet show broadcast on Canal+, a French subscription-based television channel. Hosted by a puppet facsimile of TF1 news anchor Patrick Poivre d'Arvor, Les Guignols is similar to the 1984–1996 British show Spitting Image...
, TV serie (1995–2010, Canal+) - Peintres de Kumasi" by Thierry Secrétan (1995, Online/Arte)
- Joe et Marie by Tania Stöcklin (1993)
- Music of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies at the 1992 Winter Olympics1992 Winter OlympicsThe 1992 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XVI Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 8 to 23 February 1992 in Albertville, France. They were the last Winter Olympics to be held the same year as the Summer Olympics, and the first where the Winter Paralympics...
in Albertville - « Victoire de la Musique » 92 - « Prix de la Musique Symphonique Légère de la SACEM » - Kaltex en Chine (1988, Kaltex)
- Les cercueils de monsieur Kani Kwé by Thierry Secrétan (1987, La Générale de Production cinématographique)
Collaborations on soundtracks
- O.C. & Stiggs, film by Robert AltmanRobert AltmanRobert Bernard Altman was an American film director and screenwriter known for making films that are highly naturalistic, but with a stylized perspective. In 2006, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognized his body of work with an Academy Honorary Award.His films MASH , McCabe and...
, collaboration with King Sunny AdéKing Sunny AdéKing Sunny Adé is a popular performer of Yoruba Nigerian Jùjú music and a pioneer of modern world music. He has been classed as one of the most influential musicians of all time.-Background:...
as producer/manager (1984, MGM) - Black Mic-Mac film by Thomas Gilou, collaboration with Ray LemaRay LemaRaymond Lema A'nsi Nzinga, known as Ray Lema, is a Congolese musician born March 30, 1946 in Lufu-Toto, Bas-Congo Province.Lema is a pianist, guitarist, and songwriter. He worked for the National Ballet of Zaire, as it was then called, and in 1979 was invited to the United States by the...
as musical director (1985, Barclay) - Arizona DreamArizona DreamArizona Dream is a 1993 film directed by Emir Kusturica and starring Johnny Depp, Jerry Lewis and Faye Dunaway.-Plot:Axel has a dream about an Eskimo who catches a rare halibut and brings it back to his family in an igloo...
film by Emir KusturicaEmir KusturicaEmir Nemanja Kusturica , is a Serbian filmmaker, actor and musician, recognized for several internationally acclaimed feature films...
, collaboration with Goran BregovicGoran BregovicGoran Bregović is one of the most internationally known modern musicians and composers of the Balkans. He currently splits his time between Paris and Belgrade, where he settled down during the Yugoslav Wars.Bregović has composed for such varied artists as Iggy Pop and Cesária Évora...
and Iggy PopIggy PopIggy Pop is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Though considered an innovator of punk rock, Pop's music has encompassed a number of styles over the years, including pop, metal, jazz and blues...
(1991, Mercury) - Dirty Pretty ThingsDirty Pretty Things (film)Dirty Pretty Things is a 2002 film directed by Stephen Frears and written by Steven Knight, a drama about two illegal immigrants in London...
film by Stephen FrearsStephen FrearsStephen Arthur Frears is an English film director.-Early life:Frears was born in Leicester, England to Ruth M., a social worker, and Dr Russell E. Frears, a general practitioner and accountant. He did not find out that his mother was Jewish until he was in his late 20s...
with the song Life is Good by Martin Meissonnier/Larbi Dida/U-RoyU-RoyU-Roy , OD, is a Jamaican musician, also known as The Originator. He is best known as a pioneer of toasting.-Biography:...
(2002)
Documentary films (director)
- Poubelle la vie, co-directed by Pascal Signolet (2010, 90', Productions Campagne Première/France 3/RTBF)
- Vraie Jeanne Fausse Jeanne (Inquest on Joan of ArcJoan of ArcSaint Joan of Arc, nicknamed "The Maid of Orléans" , is a national heroine of France and a Roman Catholic saint. A peasant girl born in eastern France who claimed divine guidance, she led the French army to several important victories during the Hundred Years' War, which paved the way for the...
) (2007, 90', Arte/Productions Campagne Première) - Africa Live - Roll Back Malaria, five concert films, featuring Youssou N'DourYoussou N'DourYoussou N'Dour is a Senegalese singer, percussionist and occasional actor. In 2004, Rolling Stone described him as, in Senegal and much of Africa, "perhaps the most famous singer alive." He helped develop a style of popular music in Senegal, known in the Serer language as mbalax, a type of music...
, Tiken Jah FakolyTiken Jah FakolyTiken Jah Fakoly is a reggae singer from Côte d'Ivoire.Tiken Jah was born into a family of griots and christened Doumbia Moussa Fakoly on June 23, 1968 in Odienné, north-western Côte d'Ivoire. He discovered reggae at an early age, assembling his first group, Djelys, in 1987...
, CorneilleCorneille (singer)Cornelius Nyungura is a singer who performs under the name Corneille. He was born in Germany to Rwandan parents, though he currently holds a Canadian passport and sings in French and English...
, Awadi & others (2005, 300', Antelope Films/Ideale Audience/Flotow Productions/Xippi) - On God’s Right, in collaboration with Roger Trilling (2004, 55', Productions Campagne Première/Canal+/SBS Australia)
- The Life of BuddhaBuddhaIn Buddhism, buddhahood is the state of perfect enlightenment attained by a buddha .In Buddhism, the term buddha usually refers to one who has become enlightened...
(2003, 90', General Pattern/Infine films/Buddhist Broadcasting Foundation/Arte/SBS) - Mc World - Brand Culture featuring Benjamin Barber, Eric Schlosser, Dan Wieden... (2002, 90', Sodaperaga/Arte) « Prix Leonardo » for best European production 2002 - Italy
- Une Europe sans Loi with judges Eva Joly, Renaud Van Ruymbecke, Gerardo Colombo etc... (2000, 52', Tetra Media/la Cinquième)
- Paroles de Juges with judges Eva Joly, Renaud Van Ruymbecke, Gerardo Colombo etc... (2000, 90', Tetra Media/Arte)
- Invisible War, Depleted Uranium and the Politics of Radiation (2000, 64',Canal+) « Grand Price » of the Sinergie scientific film festival 2001
- In the Footsteps of the Queen of Sheba shot in Yemen, Ethiopia & Israel (1999, 2x52', Gaumont Television/Arte/SBS/AVRO)
- Web Site Story (1999, 4x26', Gaumont Television/European Communauty/Arte) (compilation of www.monde & Internet : un monde digital).
- www.monde with Jean-Marie Messier, Serge Tchuruk, Michael Bloomberg about the Net Economy and banking (1998, 110', Gaumont Television/Arte)
- The Wheel of Destiny on Astrology around the world, shot in India, Hong Kong, Guatemala, Mali... (1998, 2x52', The Factory/Arte)
- Time Guardians (1997, 60', The Factory/Canal+)
- Internet - un monde digital with Alvin Toffler, Louis Rosetto (1996, 120', Série Limitée/Arte)
- Music is my Drug/Psychedelic Trance (1996, 52', Compangnie des Phares et Balises/Canal+)