Christophe Maé

French folk-pop singer Christophe Maé first earned widespread notice as an actor, co-starring in the smash stage musical Le Roi Soleil. Born October 16, 1975, in Carpentras, Maé — the son of an amateur jazz musician — began studying violin at age six, a decade later adding guitar and harmonica (the latter in tribute to Stevie Wonder, an enormous influence over his subsequent musical direction). After several years playing clubs and cabarets in the south of France, Maé relocated to Paris, where he came to the attention of producer Dove Attia. Cast as Monsieur, the brother of Le Roi Soleil's title character, he joined the production in late 2005 and immediately vaulted to national fame. The success of the musical forced Maé to temporarily mothball his solo career, but upon exiting Le Roi Soleil in the spring of 2007 he issued his debut LP, Mon Paradis.