The career of André Manoukian -- a French jazz musician, composer, and producer -- took flight in the 1980s in tandem with Liane Foly. He collaborated with the French singer on several albums released through the early 2000s. Manoukain also collaborated with African-British singer Malia, Charles Aznavour, Gilbert Bécaud, Myriam Abel, Gaetane Abrial, and others. However, Manoukain is best known as one of the judges of the television reality show Nouvelle Star, the French version of Pop Idol, where he developed a reputation as something of a philosopher. He made his full-length solo album debut in 2008 with Inkala. ~ Jason Birchmeier