Yves Jamait

French pop iconoclast Yves Jamait was born and raised in Dijon. As a teen at summer camp, he discovered the music of protest singer Maxime le Forestier and began writing his own songs, later co-founding the group L'Adam de Sagesse. Jamait's music career nevertheless foundered, and upon starting a family he began working a series of factory jobs. He continued moonlighting at local clubs, however, and eventually earned local renown fronting the group De Verre en Vers, which also included guitarist Laurent Delort, bassist Marc Descroites, accordionist Christophe Marozzi, and drummer Herve Faisandaz. In 2001, De Verre en Vers signed to the Wagram label to issue its self-titled debut LP, prompting the then-38-year-old Jamait to finally quit his day job. The album proved a significant French hit, and five years later Jamait issued the follow-up, Le Coquelicot.

Finally able to devote himself full-time to music, Jamait was much more productive in the following years. His next studio album, Je Passais par Hasard, arrived in 2008 and, the following year, he released the live album En Concert. He became noted for spectacular live shows such as his TV marathon Bars à Jamait and his epic 20-concert, tenth anniversary celebrations in Dijon accompanied by the city's symphony orchestra. His fourth studio album, Saison 4, which featured more of a rock sound, was released in 2011. ~ Jason Ankeny & John D. Buchanan, Rovi