Joëlle Ursull (born 9 November 1960) is a French singer.
She performed "
White and Black Blues
"White and Black Blues" was the entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1990, performed in French (with some words in English) by Joëlle Ursull, from her album ''Black French''. The song was performed fourteenth on the night of the competition. At t ...
", composed by Georges Augier de Moussac with lyrics by
Serge Gainsbourg
Serge Gainsbourg (; born Lucien Ginsburg; 2 April 1928 – 2 March 1991) was a French musician, singer-songwriter, actor, author and filmmaker. Regarded as one of the most important figures in French pop, he was renowned for often provoca ...
, in the
Eurovision Song Contest 1990
The Eurovision Song Contest 1990 was the 35th edition of the annual Eurovision Song Contest. It was held in Zagreb, SR Croatia, Yugoslavia, following the country's victory at the with the song " Rock Me" by Riva. It was the only time Yugoslavia ...
of 5 May 1990. She scored 132 points and was joint second with Ireland, behind "
Insieme: 1992" by
Toto Cutugno
Salvatore "Toto" Cutugno (; born 7 July 1943) is an Italian pop singer-songwriter and musician. He is best known for his worldwide hit song, "L'Italiano", released on his 1983 album of the same title. Cutugno also won the Eurovision Song Conte ...
. The single was a hit in France, where it peaked at #2 and remained charted for 26 weeks.
Previously, Ursull was a member of the trio
Zouk Machine
Zouk Machine is an all-female zouk group from Guadeloupe which had several hits, particularly in France, such as the summer number-one single on French SNEP Singles Chart "Maldòn (la musique dans la peau)", in 1990 that sold over 1 million cop ...
.
[Elia Habib, Muz hit. tubes, p. 187 ()] Alone, she released the albums ''Miyel'' and ''Black French''.
Biography
Early life
Joëlle Ursull was born on 9 November 1960 in
Pointe-à-Pitre
Pointe-à-Pitre (; gcf, label=Guadeloupean Creole, Pwentapit, , or simply , ) is the second largest (most populous) city of Guadeloupe after Les Abymes. Guadeloupe is an overseas region and Overseas department, department of France located in the ...
. She was elected Miss Morne-à-l'Eau before becoming Miss Guadeloupe in 1979. Ursull worked as a television actress in a sitcom produced by RFO. Later, she embarked on a modelling career before forming the group
Zouk Machine
Zouk Machine is an all-female zouk group from Guadeloupe which had several hits, particularly in France, such as the summer number-one single on French SNEP Singles Chart "Maldòn (la musique dans la peau)", in 1990 that sold over 1 million cop ...
. Among her influences are the Caribbean Zouk, Biguine, Reggae, Ragga, Quadrille, Salsa, and Merengue.
The creation of Zouk Machine
Zouk Machine
Zouk Machine is an all-female zouk group from Guadeloupe which had several hits, particularly in France, such as the summer number-one single on French SNEP Singles Chart "Maldòn (la musique dans la peau)", in 1990 that sold over 1 million cop ...
was created by Guy Houllier and Yves Honore. They called Joëlle Ursull who is a friend of the family,
Christiane Obydol who is the sister of Guy Houllier and Lisette Obydol who was called "Mama Zouk" and manager of the group at the time. She was one of three founding members of the group. The group won a great success from the release of their eponymous first album. In 1988, Ursull left the group attempted a career as a soloist.
Career soloist
In 1988 she released her first album entitled ''Miyel''. In 1990, she represented France at the
Eurovision Song Contest
The Eurovision Song Contest (), sometimes abbreviated to ESC and often known simply as Eurovision, is an international songwriting competition organised annually by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), featuring participants representing pr ...
and also released her second album entitled ''Black French''. In 1993, Ursull released her third album ''As in a Film'' which had more of a blues influence.
After becoming a mother, Ursull dedicated her life to the education of her two daughters. However, she found time to participate in a different project, singing on a single for the Mothers & Fathers duet with Jacques D'Arbaud, a duet on the album of the comic Pat. She also sang on another in 1999 with the reggae artist Djamatik. In 2003, she released a single called Babydoo. From 2004 to 2006 she participated in numerous shows in the West Indies and Paris. Urusll is working on a new album planned for release in 2011.
Discography
Albums
# ''Zouk Machine'' (1986)
# ''Miyel'' (1988)
# ''Black French'' (1990)
# ''As in a Film'' (1993)
# ''Black & White Blues'' (2000) Compilation
Singles
# "Sové Lanmou" (1986)
# "Zouk Machine" (1987)
# "Miyel" (1989)
# "
White and Black Blues
"White and Black Blues" was the entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1990, performed in French (with some words in English) by Joëlle Ursull, from her album ''Black French''. The song was performed fourteenth on the night of the competition. At t ...
" (1990) #2 in France
# "Amazone" (1990) #26 in France
# "Position Feeling" (1991) #50 in France
# "Syiel Tambou" (1993)
# "Babydoo" (2003)
Participations
#"Tallulah (Escale Tropicale)" With Eddy The Viny (1985)
#"Serre Moi" Duo with Kova Rea (1992) #43 in France
#"Merci Maman Merci Papa" Duo with Jacques D'Arbaud (1999)
#"Bondié" Duo with Pat '(1999)
#"À chacun son vécu" Duo with Djamatik (1999)
#"Tibwen Chalè" Unis-Sons Together against AIDS (2004)
#"Baby fait moi kiffé" Duo with Arsenik (2005)
#"Love" With Daddy Yod (2006)
#"Ou Bel" Album Proposal (2007)
#"My Lady" Duo with Diggy Star (2008)
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ursull, Joelle
1960 births
French women singers
Guadeloupean musicians
Eurovision Song Contest entrants for France
Eurovision Song Contest entrants of 1990
Living people
French beauty pageant winners
Miss Guadeloupe winners