> On Tour
L.A. Hollywood Bowl Sept 2011
If you have ever wondered what it would sound like if you were to commingle musical sounds and styles from cultures the world over, we heard it last night at the Hollywood Bowl. Paris-rooted by internationally-influenced band Paris Combo brought their signature exotic stylings to the second half of the evening’s concert. Singer-songwriter Belle du Berry leads a jazz combo-type cast of players (she also plays the accordion, but didn’t bring it out this night) that includes self-taught Gypsy guitar talent Potzi, Australian David Lewis on trumpet, flugelhorn, and piano, Emmanuel Chabbey on bass, and François-François (François Jeannin) keeping time on drums. Berry is a 1940s jazz singer in sound and appearance, exuding a dash of sexy, a pinch of vixenish sass, and with her pixie-gamine’s hair, fair skin, and blue eyes, a dose of French glamour. For the performance she wore a liquid-y black floor length gown and a white feather collar about her shoulders; the whole outfit moved as she did, sensually flowing. She perfected her aura of French sultriness by prettily breathing, “Merci beaucoup...thank you very much” into the microphone after every song
Leslie Velez - September 18, 2011 USC AnnenburgArts+Culture
Four years ago, French quintet Paris Combo released one of the most inventive and accomplished pop albums to come out of Europe in the last decade. Titled "Attraction," this seminal collection was the group’s third effort, crystallizing a unique sound that found inspiration in traditional French chanson while updating it with refreshing touches of jazz and Latin music.
Ernesto Lechner - Chicago Tribune (January 12, 2005)
… the marvelously eclectic Paris Combo, romping through jazz-tinged selections energized by the quirky vocals of Belle du Berry and Gypsy rhythms of Django Reinhardt-influenced guitarist Potzi.
Don Heckman - Los Angeles times (Sept 20 2004)
Over the course of five albums, the Paris Combo has fired the imagination of anyone who likes their music cool, continental, witty and more than a little mysterious. Their local debut Friday night at the Somerville Theatre left the full house with only one question: Where have you been all our lives?
Bob Young, Boston Herald 2005