Mirrorspectator. Jo Corbeau, born Georges Ohannessian in Marseille in 1946, is a French singer, songwriter, performer and artist of Armenian descent.
After studying at the Schools of Fine Arts in Marseille and later in Paris, he founded the group Albert et sa fanfare Poliorcétique in 1971, which created one of the first French rock operas, “La Malédiction des rockers.” It was during this period that he adopted the stage name Jo Corbeau, performing at numerous festivals as well as on radio and television.
In 1974, he joined the magazine Actuel as an illustrator and scriptwriter, collaborated with Jazz Hot, and took part in the film “La Route,” shot in India and Bali. From 1978 onwards, he devoted himself to reggae, composing several notable songs, including Reggae Lussac, Rock à Marseille and Le Rasta de Mourepiane. In 1982, he joined the Antillean band Men in the Hill, recording several reggae tracks with them. He later continued his musical career by founding the Djibrill Sound System and Jo Corbeau Illimited Compagnie, producing songs such as Savon de Marseille and Red Rock Reggae.
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Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, he remained active with new projects, including the group Dub Olympique, and released several albums and recordings that further established his unique place on the Marseille reggae scene. Jo Corbeau also writes poetry, some of which is devoted to Armenian themes.
We met in one of Yerevan’s parks, where our conversation took place in French. Throughout the interview, Jo would occasionally slip Armenian words and expressions into his speech.
Today, July 17, I am speaking with Jean-Georges Ohannessian, better known as Jo Corbeau. But why “Corbeau” (raven)?
It’s a vision I had during meditation. The raven was the first animal Noah sent out of the Ark, before the dove. He opened the Ark; the raven flew away and never came back. So now, I’m the one who has returned.
How would you define your professional activity and your place in the history of French music?
I belong to the generation that started out with rock ‘n’ roll. Later, I became interested in blues, jazz and all the contemporary music of the time, until the day I discovered reggae through Bob Marley in 1977. I attended one of his concerts, and from that moment on I decided that I wanted to make this kind of music myself. I was among the very first musicians in France to perform reggae in French. Between 1977 and 1980, I formed my first bands and took part in the birth of an entire movement that grew around reggae.
But that’s not all. I also studied at the School of Fine Arts. I worked as a painter, decorator, press illustrator, poster designer, and comic-book artist. So, I have pursued artistic work throughout my entire life. I have also performed in street theatre, created performance art, and engaged in all kinds of artistic projects. It’s important to know that I am a singer-songwriter. I don’t perform other people’s songs—I sing my own lyrics set to my own music. Then, together with the musicians, we work out the arrangements.
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