Clémentine (musician)

Clémentine is a French singer and songwriter based in Japan. She debuted in France in 1988 with the single, "Absolument Jazz". In addition to many releases as a singer, she has appeared regularly on the entertainment segment for NHK Educational TV "French TV".[1][2]

This article is about the French singer-songwriter. For the Philippine singer-songwriter, see Clementine (musician).

Clémentine Mitz
Photo of clementine in her house in the south of France.
Background information
Born23 September 1963
Paris, France
GenresFrench Pop, Jazz, Bossa Nova
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter
Years active1988–present
LabelsSony Music Japan, Epic, EMI
Websitewww.possion-h.com/cle

Collaborates frequently with other artists, mostly in Japan. Recently she has often collaborated with her daughter, Solita, who is also a singer.[3]

History

Born in Paris but traveled widely as a child. With her father transferring first to Mexico and later around the world, she grew in touch with Bossa Nova and other local flavors of music.

Returned to France and started Piano lessons at age 10 and Jazz school at age 12. Started her professional career in 1987 by sending a demo tape to Jazz greats Johnny Griffin and Ben Sidran, and was subsequently given an opportunity to record several songs with them.[4]

In 1988 released her first single, "Absolument Jazz" with CBS France. Signed a contract with Sony Music Entertainment Japan in 1990, and released many singles and albums. From 2003 to 2005 switched to the Epic Records Japan label, and from 2005 to 2008 to Toshiba EMI. Returned to Sony Music Entertainment in 2008.

In 2015, she performed in many Buddhist and Shinto temples across Japan accompanied by AUN J classic Orchestra.[5]

In 2018 and 2019, she became Godmother of the Tandem Tokyo Festival.[6]

In 2023, she is the voice actor of Lisa Ono in the Lisa Ono movie by Nintendo and Paramount Pictures.

Although she regularly travels to Japan where her career takes place, Clémentine continues to live in Paris.[7][8]

Discography

Singles
  • "Absolument Jazz" (1988) ; vinyl CBS-651456
  • "A St Tropez" (1992.6.21) ; SRDS-8234
  • "Pillow Talk Re-Mix" (1992.11.21) ; SRCS 6569
  • "Jérie Boit Du Caffè Latte" (1993.3.21) ; SRDS-8252
  • "Un Homme et Une Femme" (1994.9.7) ; SRCS-7447
  • "L'étoile Du Bonheur" (1994.12.21) ; SRCS-7562
  • "It's a shame" (1997.7.18) ; SMA 664602 1 (France)
  • "Poisson Lune" (1997.10.22) ; SRCS-8465
  • "La Fete" (1998.10.28) ; SRCS-8794
  • "Un Dia De Estos" (1999.1.27) ; SRCS-8875
  • "Couleur Café" (1999.6.19) ; SRCS-8959
  • "Collines Violettes" (2000.3.8) ; SRCS-2233
  • "二人でゆっくり ~Tous deux tout doux~" (2001.11.21) ; AICL-1356
  • "Tenohira wo taiyouni" (2004.9.15) ; ESCL-2582
    • Duet with daughter Solita

Albums
  • Spread Your Wings (1989) ; vinyl, cassette & CD in France only
    • Clémentine and Ben Sidran (1991.11.21); SRCS-5689
    • later release (2002.3.6) ; SICP-5029
  • Continent Bleu (1989.11.11) ; CSCS-5026
  • Mes Nuits, Mes Jours (1990.11.21) ; CSCS-5332
  • En Privé (1992.7.1) ; SRCS-5898
  • Long Courrier (1993.7.1) ; SRCS-6760
  • Clémentine Sings Ben Sidran (1993.11.18) ; SRCS-6887
    • later release (2002.3.6) ; SICP-5030
  • Ils et elle (1994.9.21) ; SRCS-7458
  • Solita (1997.5.1) ; SRCS-8284
  • Heure D'Ete (1998.11.6) ; SRCS-8793
  • Couleur Café (1999.7.1) ; SRCS-8957
  • Les Voyages (2000.9.27) ; SRCS-2337
  • Continent Bleu (2000.11.22) ; SRCS-9628
  • Café Aprés-midi [Compilation] (2001.7.18) ; SRCS-2503
  • Lil' Darlin' (2001.12.12) ; SICP-4
  • 30 °C (2002.8.7) ; SICP-190
  • Clé (2003.6.4) ; ESCL-2409
  • Soleil (2004.7.7) ; ESCL-2687
  • Made in France (2005.6.20) ; TOCP-67700
  • Lumiere (2006.6.14) ; TOCP-67976
  • Chocolats et Sweets (2008.7.23) ; SICP-1922
  • Sweet Rendez-vous (2008.9.24) ; SICP-1954
  • Sweet Illumination (2008.11.26) ; SICP-2077
  • Animentine~Bossa du Animé (2010.7.21) ; SICP-2770

"Best-of" albums
  • A Suivre...～The Very Best of Clementine～ (1996.11.11) ; SRCS-8166
  • Clémentine de Best (2004.11.26) ; SICP-641

Tribute albums
  • Clementine Sings Disney (2014.11.26) ; AVCW-63038 [9]

References
  1. "Clémentine est la chanteuse française la plus aimée au Japon. Ses albums se sont vendus à plus de 1,5 million d’exemplaires. En dehors du Japon, Clémentine est soutenue par un public fidèle partout en Asie, et particulièrement en Corée du Sud. Elle a été élue « Ambassadrice de bonne volonté honoraire de la ville de Kyôto » pour 4 ans en 2009."
  2. A French Affair, Tokyo Weekender, 3 juillet 2009
  3. "Le Japon et Clémentine". Le Monde.fr (in French). 4 December 1996. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  4. From her official biography
  5. "CLEMENTINE-MEETS-J-CLASSIC-ORCHESTRA". www.amazon.com. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  6. "Kansai Scene Magazine :: Kansai Living Guide". archives.kansaiscene.com. Retrieved 14 February 2021.
  7. LA FRANCE AU JAPON, RFI Musique, 16 février 2000
  8. Une « frenchpop » au pays du Soleil-Levant, Capitaltouch, 12 mars 2012
  9. "Clementine Sings Disney". ローチケHMV. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
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