Biography
Jean-Michel Bernard (born 23 November 1961) is a French pianist, composer, orchestrator and music producer. He is credited as composer on the films The Science of Sleep (2006) and Be Kind Rewind (2008), both directed by Michel Gondry, with whom he has collaborated frequently.
Bernard began playing the piano at the age of two. He won first prize at the Bordeaux Conservatory at 14 and graduated from the École Normale de Musique de Paris. At 19 he recorded with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London. He pursued a jazz career, performing with artists including Wild Bill Davis, Jimmy Woode and Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis. From 1987 to 1991 he was musical director and conductor of the radio show L’Oreille en Coin on France Inter. Between 2000 and 2003 he performed with the Ray Charles Quartet on tour as organist and conductor.
His film work includes scores for Hugo (2011), Paris-Manhattan (2012) and Ca$h (2008). In 2007 he won the France Musique/UCMF prize at the Cannes Film Festival for The Science of Sleep and was nominated for Discovery of the Year at the World Soundtrack Awards.
