This Page Last Updated
September 17th 2001

EXCLUSIVE FRANCIS RIMBERT INTERVIEW



Ever since the Rendez-Vous Houston concert, we have physically seen Francis Rimbert collaborate with Jean Michel Jarre, working alongside him at concerts and, on some occasions, his albums aswell. Now, with thanks to Francis Rimbert himself, we here at Jarre UK are now able to bring you an EXCLUSIVE interview with him...

ROBIN HOSGOOD: To all those who (still) do not know who you are, could you introduce yourself to everyone please...

FRANCIS RIMBERT: The start of our collaboration dates back to Place de la Concorde, where thanks to MICHEL GEISS I met JMJ. On this occasion I loaned JMJ some of the synths that I used on stage (I was working at that point for KORG). After this our common interest in the creation of electronic sounds brought us together, and I began to work with him on the albums and concerts. Now I am permanently attached to his personal studio.

RH: It's been a couple of months now since you were in Athens for the Akropolis concerts. We here at Jarre UK believe these concerts to have been very successful, with a welcome return to the classic Jean Michel tracks we all know and love. But what are your own personal thoughts on how the concerts went?

FR: Athens marks the return of the JMJ style that I love. We worked a lot on the 'sound and resonance' of this show - to try to be as close as possible to the spirit of the studio albums. The AKROPOLIS track has taken 3 months to write and to choose the sounds, but I think it was well worth the hard work.

RH: What are your own personal thoughts on the Rehearsals for the two Akropolis concerts, and did you think they went ok?

FR: The on site rehearsals have been very easy, because we had worked before with the musicians like LAURENT FAUCHEUX and CHRISTOPHER PAPENDIECK.

RH: About the ViZitors project... The Okinawa concert received mixed receptions from many fans, but with the majority not entirely embracing the whole concept of the approach to the music, although most fans would agree though that about 50% of the music was good. What are your thoughts on how the Okinawa concert went, and do you think that The ViZitors will ever see the light of day again in the form of an album? Or will any of the music by The ViZitors be mixed in with the playlist at a future Jean Michel Jarre concert? (and also, what are your opinions of Tetsuya 'TK' Komuro?).

FR: Okinawa was a very interesting musical experience because it allowed JMJ to write in another style, that we hadn't seen or heard him do before. It was to be expected that some of the fans would be a little uncertain about this. At the moment we don't have an album project concerning this concert. TK is a very amazing person and a tireless worker and businessman. I have learned many things since I knew him.

RH: On to some other questions.... A lot of people call you "Bunny" - where did this nickname come from, and what is the story behind it?

FR: This nickname has been given to me because of my passion for this cartoon - I collect all the 'memorabilia'. I always have a little Bugs Bunny with me for every concert - a sort of mascot or good luck charm. I love the boldness of this character, and his impertinence.



RH: A lot of fans are aware that you have made 2 albums - Scenario and A.L.I.V.E - do you have any plans for the future to work on another album of your own?

FR: Yes, but for the moment my priority is the projects of JMJ - and this takes all of my time and my mind.

RH: Quite a few fans have noticed that you play keyboards very fast and accurate, and some have even dubbed you a "Human Sequencer" because of this. How many years of practice has it taken you for you to achieve this status, and are you continually trying to improve your keyboard playing skills?

FR: I was very lucky to be able to study piano at the Conservatoire National de Paris - these classical studies gave me a good background and technique that serves me well today. Apart from this, I work regularly on the sequences, finding a good comfortable fingering and hand position for each one. I also have to learn to play with the synchronised 'delay' with JMJ - which allows a completely different approach to playing keyboards. Even so, after some songs I have to ease the muscles of my wrists to avoid cramps.



RH: In your personal opinion, which has been your favourite concert to perform at, and why?

FR: HOUSTON without any hesitation - because it was necessary to be completely crazy to rise to the challenge of that.

RH: If you was stranded on a desert island, with only one source of electricity and one plug socket, what keyboard or synthesizer would you take with you? And also, which other personal item in your possession would you take with you?

FR: A piano and a computer with Internet access!

RH: Will you be working with Jean Michel in the studio on his next album, and if so, to what extent? And also, do you know what the style and 'feel' to the new album will be like?

FR: We are writing and researching at the moment - but it's too soon to say anything about it - you have to be patient.



Also, we at Jarre UK asked a few fans if they would like to ask you a question.... so here they are....

Stephanie Ducom (aka E_Flat_6): Just what kind of man is JMJ, and is it enjoyable to work with him?

FR: He is an incredible guy, very hard working, even tempered with a good sense of humour. We are very close - for example on stage - it's not necessary to speak to know what the other one wants! He has one fault - he adores Japanese Sushie - and I hate that!

Martin and Tracy Francom (aka Jarrelook): Have you taught any of your children to master the keyboard as of yet, and if so, to what degree of playing do you believe them to be at?

FR: No. I leave my children to choose for themselves. My two girls play piano by ear and instinct, just for the pleasure of finding a tune/melody on the keyboard. They have some basic knowledge, but I don't make an issue or a priority of it. Armandine plays piano very well, as for Aurore, she adores communication. Actually she has her own website - HTTP://RAURAU1044.FREE.FR.

Aurélien Forest (aka Jarreweb): Would it be possible for yourself to be more present on the Jarre.net forum, and also during any webchats alongside JMJ?

FR: I am connected permanently to the studio of JMJ - and I will try to be a little more active on your forums.



Abi Fallows (aka CS6x): Apart from some of the hotter climates (such as Athens), where would you most like to perform at, and why?

FR: I would like very much to make a concert in Canada (I adore the Canadian people) - of course it would have to be an indoor show, because trying to play Chrono 6 whilst wearing mittens - could be rather difficult!

Stratos Koufos: Do you help Jean Michel compose some parts of sounds and sequences for his music?

FR: I help him transcribe the things he has in his mind, but NEVER in a way that will betray his style and I never impose myself or my own style into it.

Daniel Eriksson (aka Voxel9): So how the hell do you manage to play the bass line sequence for Chronologie 6 without failing? :o)

FR: It can sometimes happen to get stuck with some notes of this song! It's really a question of concentration and specific fingering.

Nico Genar (aka Nicie): Do you have any influence on what Jean Michel Jarre composes or performes during the creative process of an album or a
live performance?

FR: I am only his helper! JMJ composes and I help to put his music on paper. If I feel that I am not needed, then I step back! (as was the case for Nuit Electronique at Paris for example)

Jesper Andsbjerg (aka BetaZehn): What music do you like to listen to? And what are your hobbies when you are not making music?

FR: I love the music of the movies, because generally thay have something to say - like the score of Pearl Harbour recently. My hobbies are to fish from the side of a pond, or tidying up and doing things in my home studio.

Robin Hosgood
Assistant Webmaster for Jarre UK



Jarre UK would like to thank Francis Rimbert for taking time out of his busy schedule to answer some questions for this interview, and also we would like to thank the above JMJ Fans for their questions... :o)

Photographs (c) 2001 Nathalie Gallois (with kind permission)
You can visit Nathalie's website at... http://bignath.free.fr

Highlights


'FUNKSTÖRUNG'
Interview


FRANCIS RIMBERT Interview


'JARRELOOK'
Concert Gallery

Appearances

FRANCIS RIMBERT has performed alongside Jean Michel Jarre at the following concerts and performances...

Rendez-Vous Houston
April 5th 1986

Rendez-Vous Lyon
October 5th 1986

Destination Docklands
October 8th + 9th 1988

London Kid Performance
May 13th 1989

Paris La Defense
July 14th 1990

Europe In Concert
July 28th -
October 16th 1993

Hong Kong
March 11th 1994

Concert For Tolerance
July 14th 1995

Festa Italiana
September 10th 1995

Wetten Das
(Oxygen 8 Performance)
March 22nd 1997

Oxygene Tour 1st Leg
May 3rd-June 26th 1997

Oxygen in Moscow
September 6th 1997

Oxygene Tour 2nd Leg
Oct 11th-Oct 20th 1997

12 Dreams of the Sun
Dec 31st 1999 -
Jan 1st 2000

Metamorphoses Showcase
January 31st 2000

Rendez-Vous in Space
January 1st 2001

Akropolis
June 18th-20th 2001