Jean-Michel Soupraya facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jean-Michel Soupraya
Jean-Michel Soupraya at LAFX Studio
Background information
Also known as	The Next Quincy Jones
Born	(1973-04-25) April 25, 1973 (age 52)
Origin	Paris, France
Genres	Pop, funk, soul, swing, jazz, traditional pop, hip hop, classical, bossa nova,
Occupation(s)	Record producer, arranger, conductor, songwriter and executive, A&R representative
Instruments	Piano, drums, percussion and keyboard
Years active	1985–present
Labels	JMWest Entertainment
Associated acts	Franck Gelibert, Guy Nsangue Aka, Justice, RuZANNA, Karle Philip Zamor, Kylie Marcus, Finn, Carma

Jean-Michel Soupraya (born April 25, 1973) is a talented French-American music producer, conductor, and musician. Many call him "The Next Quincy Jones" because he is so good at playing piano and keyboards. He has a special way of mixing different music styles.

His music is inspired by his time in the West Indies, where he loved the sounds of drums, marimbas, and lively carnivals. He played keyboards for the international reggae band Zionbar. Jean-Michel has worked with many famous musicians, including Abraham Laboriel and MC Solaar. In 2014, he created a TV show called "The Producer Show".

About Jean-Michel Soupraya

His Early Life

When Jean-Michel was young, he loved playing soccer. But at age twelve, he had a serious injury that almost stopped him from walking. He had to go to a special hospital in Paris.

His mother brought him keyboards, believing music could help him heal. During his two years in the hospital, Jean-Michel taught himself to play the keyboard like a master. He walked out of the hospital, even though doctors thought he might not.

In his early teens, Soupraya went to boarding school in Le Mans, France. He became popular by putting on his own concerts. He also taught himself how to read, write, and create music.

His Music Career

Soupraya with Quincy Jones

Jean-Michel Soupraya worked for five years with the TV channel France 2. He composed music for many popular television shows. Besides pop music, he has created music for movies, plays, orchestras, and video games.

A song he wrote called "Tenderness" (sung in French) made it to the Eurovision 2000 competition finals. After this, Soupraya started working all over the world. He traveled between London, Paris, New York, and Montreal.

He worked on his first album, "L'enfant du monde" (which means "The Child of the World"). This album was made in Montreal and brought together musicians from four different countries.

In 1998, Soupraya started working with a French singer named Jenny Zana. He produced the song "Tenderness" for her, which she performed in the Eurovision competition in 2000.

In 2000, Jean-Michel found Sofie Mazeyrat, a singer from Paris. She became well-known internationally, singing in English, French, Italian, and Spanish. After Sofie performed at L'Olympia, a big concert hall in Paris, Soupraya produced her first album, "I Can Do It".

Soupraya moved to Los Angeles in 2004. There, he started JMWest Records USA. He produced the album "Lucky Boy" for Lea Jones, which was very well received.

In 2006, Soupraya created his own music label, JMWest Entertainment. He focused on helping new artists grow and produce their music. Some of the artists he worked with include Citlalii (2009), RuZANNA (2010), JUSTICE (2011), Kylie Marcus (2013), and Finn (2013).

Jean-Michel Soupraya produced and helped write "Find A Way" for JUSTICE. This song became a Top 40 hit on the Billboard Indicator chart in March 2012. He also produced "Will You Be There (Kazakh Version)" for RuZANNA, which was released on music television in Kazakhstan in September 2012.

In March 2013, JUSTICE's second song, "By My Side," was released. Soupraya also produced and co-wrote this song. In November 2013, "Yellow Shirt" by Kylie Marcus was released, which Soupraya also helped write and produce.

Soupraya now lives in Beverly Hills. He continues to run JMWest Entertainment Group, LLC and JMWest LIVE! there. In 2014, Kylie Marcus's single "Yellow Shirt" reached number 4 on the Billboard single chart. In 2017, CARMA's first single "The Recipe" reached number 7 on the Billboard single chart.

Helping Others

In 2005, Jean-Michel Soupraya produced a new song called "HOPE" for JMWest Records. Lea Jones performed it with other musicians like Abraham Laboriel and Luis Conte. The song's lyrics were written by Solomon J. LeFlore.

"HOPE" was made for a documentary about the terrible 1999 cyclone in India and the 2004 tsunami in Indonesia. It also supported the Mary Ellen Gerber (M.E.G.) Foundation, which helps children in need.

Soupraya is known for finding great new talent. In 2010, he started JMWest LIVE! This project helps new artists, including musicians, singers, songwriters, and production teams. It gives them an affordable way to show their work to the music industry. JMWest LIVE! has hosted events at famous places in Los Angeles, like the Roxy and The House of Blues.

Music He Produced

Soupraya playing keyboard on the set of "The Producer Show"

TV Shows and Movies

Important Dates

• 1997: Jean-Michel Soupraya starts JMWest Records.
• 1999: He creates "Children of the World" with artists from Canada and France.
• 2000: The Eurovision contest features Jenny Zana and Sofie Mazeyrat.
• 2004: JMWest Records USA is created.
• 2005: He produces the song "HOPE" to help victims of natural disasters.
• 2006: JMWest Entertainment LLC is created.
• 2007: Lea Jones' new album "LUCKY BOY" is created.
• 2010: JMWest LIVE! is created to help new artists.
• 2012: The song "Find A Way" by JUSTICE becomes a Top 40 hit in the US.
• 2013: The song "By My Side" by JUSTICE is released.
• 2013: Kylie Marcus's song "Yellow Shirt" is released.
• 2014: RuZanna's song "You Don't Know How To Love" is released.
• 2017: Carma's song "The Recipe" is released.