Martin Meissonnier is a French musician, producer, journalist, and filmmaker. He is known for his work with African pop musicians such as Fela Kuti and

King Sunny Adé Chief Sunday Adeniyi Adegeye (born 22 September 1946), known professionally as King Sunny Adé, is a Nigerian jùjú singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He is regarded as one of the first African pop musicians to gain international s ...

among other diverse artists. His producing and film directing credits include documentaries about finance, politics and history.

Biography

He began as a young reporter for the legendary French daily ''Libération''. In the 1970s as young agent, he brought numerous jazz musicians to France, such as

Don Cherry Donald Stewart Cherry (born February 5, 1934) is a Canadian former ice hockey player, coach, and television commentator. Cherry played one game in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Boston Bruins, and later coached the team for five se ...

the Art Ensemble of Chicago The Art Ensemble of Chicago is an avant-garde jazz group that grew out of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians ( AACM) in the late 1960s. The ensemble integrates many jazz styles and plays many instruments, including "little ...

, John Lee Hooker. He also promoted concerts for artists such as Nass El Ghiwane, Franco & OK Jazz, Nana Vasconcelos, Turkish band Oriental Wind,

Han Bennink Han Bennink (born 17 April 1942) is a Dutch drummer and percussionist. On occasion his recordings have featured him playing soprano saxophone, bass clarinet, trombone, violin, banjo and piano. Though perhaps best known as one of the pivotal fig ...

Peter Brötzmann Peter Brötzmann (born 6 March 1941) is a German saxophonist and clarinetist. Biography Early life Brötzmann was born in Remscheid, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. He studied painting in Wuppertal and was involved with the Fluxus movement ...

, Art Blakey, Sun Ra, Chico & Von Freeman, Albert Collins, Lounge Lizards, Defunkt, Dizzy Gillespie, Old & New Dreams, Art Pepper, Moondog,

The Slits The Slits were a punk and post-punk band based in London, formed there in 1976 by members of the groups the Flowers of Romance and the Castrators. The group's early line-up consisted of Ari Up (Ariane Forster) and Palmolive (a.k.a. Paloma R ...

, Taj Mahal, Pharoah Sanders,

Gil Evans Ian Ernest Gilmore Evans (né Green; May 13, 1912 – March 20, 1988) was a Canadian–American jazz pianist, arranger, composer and bandleader. He is widely recognized as one of the greatest orchestrators in jazz, playing an important role i ...

, Egberto Gismonti, Rashied Ali & Andrew Cyrille and others. In the early 1980s, he became the manager/producer of Fela Kuti, King Sunny Ade; in 1984

Ray Lema Raymond Lema A'nsi Nzinga (born 30 March 1946), known as Ray Lema, is a Congolese (DRC) musician. A pianist, guitarist, and songwriter, he settled in France in 1982.

, the Malopoets from South Africa, Manu Dibango; in 1986 Papa Wemba and

Wasis Diop Wasis Diop (born 1950 in Dakar, Senegal) is a Senegalese musician of international renown, known for blending traditional Senegalese folk music with modern pop and jazz. Early life The son of a Senegalese high official and member of the Lebou ethn ...

. In 1986, he organised the first raï festival in Bobigny. As music Producer, he also worked with Khaled,

Safy Boutella Safy Boutella ( ar, صافي بوتلة; born 6 January 1950) is an Algerian musician, arranger, composer, and record producer who graduated from Berklee College of Music. He is the father of dancer and actress Sofia Boutella. He is best known ...

Amina Aminatu (also Amina; died 1610) was a Hausa Muslim historical figure in the city-state Zazzau (now city of Zaria in Kaduna State), in what is now in the north-west region of Nigeria. She might have ruled in the mid-sixteenth century. A controv ...

Arthur H Arthur Higelin (born 27 March 1966), better known under his stage name Arthur H (), is a French pianist, songwriter and singer. He is best known in France for his live performances—four of his albums were recorded live. Life and career He is ...

, in 1994 Robert Plant & Jimmy Page, and Alan Stivell. In 1989 to 1994, he directed the TV series Megamix for la Sept on France 3 and then Arte, world music magazine which ran for six years on French television and other countries. Later, 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. Martin Meissonnier's work as a filmmaker has a strong global flavor. His producing and directing credits include major documentaries and documentary series in finance, politics and history. They include, 'Web Site Story', 'McWorld', 'Music Is My Drug', 'On the Trail of the Queen of Sheba', 'The Life of Buddha', "Vraie Jeanne, Fausse Jeanne","On God's Right"'The Genie of Electricity' and "Waste your life" a film about recycling. Since 2015 he directed and produced two films on well being in the work place"Happiness at Work" and "What Women Want at Work". Today he concentrates on 'Happiness at School' or how to reinvent school in the digital age. Accompanied by a feature-length documentary of the same name made with Canal+, Happiness@School is also a web platfor

where best practices in education are shared through short films. Since 2018, he remixes congolese street music for an album on Crammed Disks "Kinshasa 78" and he also performs as a DJ for music Festivals like The TransMusicales de Rennes, Tropisme, Les Suds Arles... As for now, he is exploring the subjects of work and new company models, since he's made researches and directed his films ''Happiness at Work'' (2015) and ''What Women Want at Work'' (2017) and ''Happiness at School'', a web platform and film project for October 2021.

Albums (as music producer)

- ''Music/Sangam'' (album, 1979, Europa Records) (as co-producer with Pierre Lattès) *

Okay Temiz Okay Temiz (born 11 February 1939, Istanbul, Turkey) is a Turkish fusion jazz percussionist and drummer. Biography Temiz was influenced in his early years by his mother, Naciye, who was classically schooled in music. Temiz started playing profe ...

- ''Zikir'' (album, 1979, Sun Records/King records) *

Fela Anikulapo Kuti Fela Aníkúlápó Kuti (born Olufela Olusegun Oludotun Ransome-Kuti; 15 October 1938 – 2 August 1997), also known as Abami Eda, was a Nigerian musician, bandleader, composer, political activist, and Pan-Africanist. He is regarded as the p ...

- ''Black President'' (album, 1981, Arista), ''Original Suffer Head'' (album, 1981, Arista) *

& his African Beats - ''Juju Music'' (album, 1982), ''Synchro System'' (album,1983), and ''Aura'' (album, 1984) * Manu Dibango - ''Abele Dance'' (single, 1984) and ''Manu Seventies'' (album, 1988) *

Ray Lema Raymond Lema A'nsi Nzinga (born 30 March 1946), known as Ray Lema, is a Congolese (DRC) musician. A pianist, guitarist, and songwriter, he settled in France in 1982.

- ''Medecine'' (album, 1985, Celluloid) * Tony Allen - ''Too Many prisoners'' (album, 1987, Barclay) * Afrika Bambaataa - ''U don't have to be a star'' (single, 1987, Nova) (co-producer with

Yasuaki Shimizu (born 9 August 1954) is a Japanese 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. Since 1981 he has comp ...

) * Cheb Khaled /

- ''Kutche'' (album, 1987, Pomme Music-Sony) *

-''Subliminal'' (album, 1988, JVC) *

- ''Soweto Dal'' (single, 1988, Nova) *Carmel - ''Sally remix'' (single, 1988, London records) * Papa Wemba - ''Esclave'' (album, 1989, Celluloid) *

- albums ''Yalil'' (1990), ''Wadiye'' (1992) and two songs on ''Annabi'' (1999) *

- ''Arthur H'' (album, 1990, Polydor) (as co-producer with Arthur H) * Alan Stivell - ''Brian Boru'' (album, 1995, Dreyfus) * Robert Plant & Jimmy Page - '' No Quarter: Jimmy Page and Robert Plant Unledded'' (preproduction on the songs ''Yalla'' & ''A wonderful One'') (1996, Mercury) *''Bigmen - Reggae + Rai'' (album, 2001, Virgin) featuring

Gregory Isaacs Gregory Anthony Isaacs OD (15 July 1951 – 25 October 2010)Thompson, p. 127. was a Jamaican reggae musician. Milo Miles, writing in ''The New York Times'', described Isaacs as "the most exquisite vocalist in reggae".Miles, Milo (1992),RECORDI ...

Sly & Robbie Sly and Robbie were a prolific Jamaican rhythm section and production duo, associated primarily with the reggae and dub genres. Drummer Sly Dunbar and bassist Robbie Shakespeare teamed up in the mid-1970s after establishing themselves separ ...

Sugar Minott Lincoln Barrington "Sugar" Minott (25 May 1956 – 10 July 2010)Campbell, Howard (2010)Reggae singer Sugar Minott dies at 54, Associated Press, 11 July 2010. Retrieved 12 July 2010Peru, Yasmine (2010)Godfather of Dancehall, Sugar Minott, dead at ...

Chaka Demus & Pliers Chaka Demus & Pliers are a Jamaican reggae duo made up of deejay Chaka Demus (born John Taylor) and singer Pliers (born Everton Bonner), known for their hits " Tease Me" and " Murder She Wrote". As a duo, they enjoyed more commercial success w ...

, Cheb Anouar, Cheb Tarik, Khaled, etc... *

Seun Kuti Oluseun Anikulapo Kuti (born 11 January 1983), who is called by the name Seun Kuti, is a Nigerian musician, singer and the youngest son of the famous Afrobeat pioneer, Fela Kuti. Seun leads his father's former band Egypt 80. Biography The y ...

& Fela's Egypt 80 - ''Many Things'' (album, 2008, Tôt ou Tard - Disorient Records) * Khaled - '' Liberté'' (album, 2009, Universal) *

Louis Bertignac Louis Bertignac (; born 23 February 1954) 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 19 ...

- ''Grizzly (ça c’est vraiment moi)'' (album, 2010, Polydor) * Aziz Sahmaoui - ''University of Gnawa'' (album, 2011, General Pattern) * Maïa Barouh ''Kodama'' (2015 Saravah) * Aziz Sahmaoui - ''Poetic Trance'' (2019 Blue Line) * Kinshasa 78 reconstructions (2020 Crammed Discs) with Konono N°1, Orchestre Sankayi, Orchestre Bambala, originals & remixes of 1978 recordings by Bernard Treton in Kinshasa

Soundtracks (composer)

*''Walking Around"A short film directed by Gilles Bovon (2022) *''Les cercueils de monsieur Kani Kwé'' by Thierry Secrétan (1987, La Générale de Production cinématographique) *''Kaltex en Chine'' (1988, Kaltex) *Music of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies at the

1992 Winter Olympics ) , nations = 64 , athletes = 1,801 (1313 men, 488 women) , events = 57 in 6 sports (12 disciplines) , opening = 8 February 1992 , closing = 23 February 1992 , opened_by = President François Mitterrand , cauldron ...

in Albertville - « Victoire de la Musique » 92 - « Prix de la Musique Symphonique Légère de la SACEM » *''Joe et Marie'' by Tania Stöcklin (1993) *''Peintres de Kumasi'' by Thierry Secrétan (1995, Online/Arte) *''

Les Guignols de l'Info ''Les Guignols'' (, ''The Puppets''), formerly ''Les Guignols de l'info'' (, ''The News Puppets''), was a daily satirical latex puppet show broadcast on the French television channel Canal+. It was created in 1988, inspired by '' Le Bébête Sh ...

'', TV serie (1995–2010, Canal+) *''Tripalium'' by Christophe Loizillon (1996 – Vertigo productions) *''Les 100 photos du Siècle'', documentary (1998, Capa) *''Spin Doctors'', documentary by Luc Hermann & Gilles Bovon (2001, Canal+) *''République Atomique'' documentary by David Carr Brown (2001, Artline/ARTE) *''Inside Broadmoor'', documentary by David Carr Brown (2002, Psychology News UK/Channel 5 UK) *''l’Affaire Clearstream'', documentary by

Denis Robert Denis Robert (born 9 May 1958) is a French investigative journalist, novelist and filmmaker. He formerly worked for twelve years for the newspaper ''Libération''. Robert's books, films and press interviews, denouncing the opaque workings of the ...

(2003, The Factory/Canal +) *''Death of Diana'', documentary by David Carr Brown (2003, Psychology News UK/ABC-Channel 5 UK) *''The Great Match'', film by

Gerardo Olivares Gerardo Olivares (born 1964) is a Spanish filmmaker and screenwriter. He is married with two children and lives in Madrid. He was the first Spanish man to win the Golden Spike at the prestigious Seminci film festival in Valladolid for his film "14 ...

(2006, Wanda Films) (in competition at Berlinale 2006) *''Reporters'', serie directed by Suzan Fenn & Ivan Straburg (2007–2009, Capa Drama/Canal+) *', film by Ludi Boeken (2009, Acajou Films, Pandora, Filmforum) *''Rose, c'est Paris'', film by Bettina Rheims &

Serge Bramly Serge Bramly (born 31 January 1949 in Tunis, Tunisia) 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. He was married to photogra ...

(2010, Arte/Productions Campagne Première)

Collaborations on soundtracks

*'' O.C. & Stiggs'', film by Robert Altman, collaboration with

as producer/manager (1984, MGM) *''Black Mic-Mac'' film by Thomas Gilou, collaboration with

Ray Lema Raymond Lema A'nsi Nzinga (born 30 March 1946), known as Ray Lema, is a Congolese (DRC) musician. A pianist, guitarist, and songwriter, he settled in France in 1982.

as musical director (1985, Barclay) *''

Arizona Dream ''Arizona Dream'' is a 1993 Independent film, indie Surrealist cinema, surrealist comedy drama film co-written and directed by Emir Kusturica and starring Johnny Depp, Jerry Lewis, Faye Dunaway, Lili Taylor and Vincent Gallo. Plot Axel has a dr ...

'' film by

Emir Kusturica Emir Kusturica ( sr-cyrl, Емир Кустурица; born 24 November 1954) is a Serbian film director, screenwriter, actor, producer and musician. He also has French citizenship.http://www.serbia.com/emir-kusturica-artist-builder-and-anti-glo ...

, collaboration with

Goran Bregovic Goran may refer to: Ethnic groups *Gorane, or Goran, an ethnic group of northern Africa *Goran (Kurdish tribe), an ethnic group of the Middle East *Gorani (ethnic group), an ethnic group of the southeastern Europe Other uses *Göran, a Swedis ...

and Iggy Pop (1991, Mercury) *'' Dirty Pretty Things'' film by

Stephen Frears Stephen Arthur Frears (born 20 June 1941) is an English director and producer of film and television often depicting real life stories as well as projects that explore social class through sharply drawn characters. He's received numerous accola ...

with the song ''Life is Good'' by Martin Meissonnier/Larbi Dida/

U-Roy Ewart Beckford OD (21 September 1942 – 17 February 2021), known by the stage name U-Roy, was a Jamaican vocalist and pioneer of toasting.Jo-Ann GreeneU-Roy Biography, AllMusic. Retrieved 11 April 2013. U-Roy was known for a melodic style ...

(2002)

Documentary films (director)

*''Music is my Drug/Psychedelic Trance'' (1996, 52', Compagnie des Phares et Balises/Canal+) *''Internet - un monde digital'' with Alvin Toffler, Louis Rosetto (1996, 120', Série Limitée/Arte) *''Time Guardians'' (1997, 60', The Factory/Canal+) *''The Wheel of Destiny'' on Astrology around the world, shot in India, Hong Kong, Guatemala, Mali... (1998, 2x52', The Factory/Arte) *''www.monde'' with Jean-Marie Messier, Serge Tchuruk, Michael Bloomberg about the Net Economy and banking (1998, 110', Gaumont Television/Arte) *''Web Site Story'' (1999, 4x26', Gaumont Television/European Community/Arte) (compilation of ''www.monde'' & ''Internet : un monde digital''). *''In the Footsteps of the

Queen of Sheba The Queen of Sheba ( he, מַלְכַּת שְׁבָא‎, Malkaṯ Šəḇāʾ; ar, ملكة سبأ, Malikat Sabaʾ; gez, ንግሥተ ሳባ, Nəgśətä Saba) is a figure first mentioned in the Hebrew Bible. In the original story, she bring ...

'' shot in Yemen, Ethiopia & Israel (1999, 2x52', Gaumont Television/Arte/SBS/AVRO) *''Invisible War, Depleted Uranium and the Politics of Radiation'' (2000, 64',Canal+) « Grand Prize » of the Sinergie scientific film festival 2001 *''Paroles de Juges'' with judges Eva Joly, Renaud Van Ruymbecke, Gerardo Colombo etc... (2000, 90', Tetra Media/Arte) *''Une Europe sans Loi'' with judges Eva Joly, Renaud Van Ruymbecke, Gerardo Colombo etc... (2000, 52', Tetra Media/la Cinquième) *''Mc World - Brand Culture'' featuring Benjamin Barber, Eric Schlosser, Dan Wieden... (2002, 90', Sodaperaga/Arte) « Prix Leonardo » for best European production 2002 - Italy *''The Life of

Buddha Siddhartha Gautama, most commonly referred to as the Buddha, was a wandering ascetic and religious teacher who lived in South Asia during the 6th or 5th century BCE and founded Buddhism. According to Buddhist tradition, he was born in L ...

'' (2003, 90', General Pattern/Infine films/Buddhist Broadcasting Foundation/Arte/SBS) *''On God's Right'', in collaboration with Roger Trilling (2004, 55', Productions Campagne Première/Canal+/SBS Australia) *''Africa Live - Roll Back Malaria'', five concert films, featuring

Youssou N'Dour Youssou N'Dour (, wo, Yuusu Nduur; also known as Youssou Madjiguène Ndour; born 1 October 1959) is a Senegalese singer, songwriter, musician, composer, occasional actor, businessman, and politician. In 2004, ''Rolling Stone'' magazine describe ...

Tiken Jah Fakoly Doumbia Moussa Fakoly (born June 23, 1968 in Odienné), better known by his stage name Tiken Jah Fakoly (), is an Ivorian reggae singer and songwriter. Early life Doumbia Moussa Fakoly was born on 23 June 1968 in Odienné, Kabadougou Region, nor ...

Corneille Pierre Corneille (; 6 June 1606 – 1 October 1684) was a French tragedian. He is generally considered one of the three great seventeenth-century French dramatists, along with Molière and Racine. As a young man, he earned the valuable patronag ...

Awadi AWA Technology Services, name based on former name Amalgamated Wireless (Australasia) Ltd, is an Australian provider for technology related services. Throughout most of the 20th century AWA was Australia's largest and most prominent electronics o ...

& others (2005, 300', Antelope Films/Ideale Audience/Flotow Productions/Xippi) *''Vraie Jeanne Fausse Jeanne (Inquest on

Joan of Arc Joan of Arc (french: link=yes, Jeanne d'Arc, translit= �an daʁk} ; 1412 – 30 May 1431) is a patron saint of France, honored as a defender of the French nation for her role in the siege of Orléans and her insistence on the coronat ...

)'' (2007, 90', Arte/Productions Campagne Première) *''Poubelle la vie''(Belgium title) or "Ma poubelle est un trésor", co-directed by Pascal Signolet (2010, 90', Productions Campagne Première/France 3/RTBF) *''Dancing City Johannesburg'' (2012 Campagne Première/France O/Voyage) *''La fée Electricité'' co-directed by Pascal Signolet (2012 Productions Campagne Première/France 5) *''Happiness at Work'' ''Le Bonheur au Travail''(2015 Productions Campagne Première/Lux Fugit Films/ARTE/RTBF *''Le Travail a-t-il un sexe?'' or "What Women Want at Work" (2018 Productions Campagne Première/France 5) *''Paris London: Music Connections'' (2019 (Productions Campagne Première/Musée de la Porte Dorée) *''Happiness at School'' or ''Le Bonheur à l'École'' film 90minutes for CANAL+Docs(2021 Productions Campagne Première) *''Happiness at School'' or ''Le Bonheur à l'École''3 x 52mn for CANAL+Kids (2022 Productions Campagne Première)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Meissonnier, Martin Living people Writers from Paris French journalists French composers French male composers Musicians from Paris Film directors from Paris French male non-fiction writers Year of birth missing (living people)