Benjamin Biolay

Benjamin Biolay has gone from being one of the up-and-coming stars of French chanson to a leading author, composer, performer, arranger and producer, thanks to his own work and numerous collaborations. Born in Villefranche-sur-Saône on January 20, 1973, he learned the violin and tuba in his youth, then the trombone at Lyon's regional conservatory, where he won two first prizes in 1990. His self-taught guitar training led him to pop, and his move to Paris to form the group Matéo Gallion and write for Keren Ann's trio Shelby. Signed by EMI in 1996, he released two singles before being invited to collaborate on Henri Salvador's album Chambre Avec Vue, including the hit single "Jardin d'hiver" (2000). Crowned "revelation of the year" at the Victoires de la Musique awards for his first album, Rose Kennedy (2001), Benjamin Biolay further strengthened his reputation with the following album, Négatif (2003), which reached No. 15 and demonstrated his taste for orchestration. In 2004, he and his wife Chiara Mastroianni released the album Home, followed the same year by the soundtrack to the film Clara et Moi. His autobiographical albums Á l'Origine (No. 17, 2005) and Trash Yé-Yé (No. 11, 2007) saw him explore new electronic options, while his collaborations with artists such as Isabelle Boulay, Raphaël, Hubert Mounier, Valérie Lagrange, Julien Clerc, Stephan Eicher, Juliette Gréco, Françoise Hardy, Élodie Frégé and his sister Coralie Clément have made him one of France's most sought-after composers and producers, drawing comparisons with Serge Gainsbourg. In addition to frequent film appearances, the musician achieved critical and public acclaim for his double album La Superbe (2009), ranked No. 3, which earned him two Victoires de la musique awards. The album associated with the film Pourquoi tu pleures? (2011) preceded the release of his fifth album Vengeance (2012, No. 2), featuring duets with Orelsan, Oxmo Puccino, Vanessa Paradis and Carl Barât of The Libertines. After an album of covers dedicated to Charles Trenet (2015), his successor Palermo Hollywood (No. 3 the following year) won another Victoire de la musique award. This one, recorded between France and Argentina, brings together Latin influences, like Volver (2017), also ranked No. 3. New collaborations with Carla Bruni, Jeanne Cherhal, Petula Clark, Julia Stone, Vanessa Paradis, BB Brunes, Armand Méliès, CharlElie Couture, Marc Lavoine, Calogero, Hoshi and Nolwenn Leroy show the range of styles of this essential composer, who produced the thematic albums Grand Prix (2020), born of his passion for motor racing, and Saint-Clair (2022), of his fascination for Catholic rites. While the former brought his total to six Victoires de la musique, both topped the French sales and listening charts. A live recording at the Auditorium follows in 2023. Made a Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 2004, Benjamin Biolay was promoted to the rank of Officer in 2010.