Michel Colombier

Michel Colombier (May 23, 1939, Lyon — November 14, 2004), was a French composer, songwriter, arranger, and conductor. Colombier was born in Lyon, and began his musical education at the age of six. By age fourteen, he had discovered jazz and improvisation and was performing with small combos and big bands. At twenty-two, he was hired as Musical Director of Barclay Records, and his freshman assignment was to arrange Charles Aznavour's first album ... more

Michel Colombier (May 23, 1939, Lyon — November 14, 2004), was a French composer, songwriter, arranger, and conductor. Colombier was born in Lyon, and began his musical education at the age of six. By age fourteen, he had discovered jazz and improvisation and was performing with small combos and big bands. At twenty-two, he was hired as Musical Director of Barclay Records, and his freshman assignment was to arrange Charles Aznavour's first album in English for release in the United States. He composed the music for "Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme" at the Comedie Francaise, his only creation for stage. Michel entered the world of ballet with one of Maurice Bejart's masterpieces, "Messe Pour Le Temps Present," co-written with legendary avant-garde composer and musique concrete pioneer Pierre Henry. Another Colombier-Henry collaboration, "Psyché Rock", was adapted as the theme music for the animated TV series Futurama. Colombier went on to co-write for many years with the legendary Serge... less