Sofiane Pamart

Sofiane Pamart was born on 25 April 1990 in Hellemmes where he grew up with his brother and sister, of whom he was the eldest. His father, from a family originally from Nord-Pas-de-Calais, then directed a French language center for foreigners, while his mother was a professor of literature.^[10] The mining tradition has been present in his family since his great-grandfathers who were underground miners. His maternal grandfather is of Moroccan origin, from a Berber family from Taroudant,^[11] who came to France to also be an underground miner, and died as a result of a mine blast.^[12]

His mother enrolled him at the age of seven at Conservatoire de Lille, where he studied piano and classical music for sixteen years.^[2] He obtained the Conservatory Gold Medal at the age of 23 by performing Maurice Ravel's "Alborada del gracioso" and Frédéric Chopin's "Ballade No. 4".^[13] At the same time, he graduated with a university degree in musicology and another degree in piano performance. He later completed his master's degree in law, economics, and management in University of Lyon, and in business administration at École de Management des Industries Créatives in Levallois-Perret.^[14]

Pamart recognizes Frédéric Chopin, Maurice Ravel, and Claude Debussy as his models in classical piano music, and declares that Chopin is his favorite. Pamart said, "I love his talent for telling stories in his Waltzes, for accompanying moments of life in his Nocturnes. He has the gift of bringing out what is purest at the heart of his music." He also grew up listening to Georges Brassens because of his family. His piano compositions feature sounds with influences to the music of said composers. French classical pianist Henri Barda is also one of the figures who inspire him. He met Barda during his studies in Conservatoire de Lille. Pamart further said, "He taught me accuracy in emotion. Without him, I would not have become what I am."^[15] He also believes that his nomadic Berber origins through his mother give him a feeling of freedom and connection which can be found in his music as an influence.^[2]

His pianistic style as well as his compositions have their critics. The French jazz pianist Étienne Guéreau [fr] described Pamart as "Chopin Wish version, easy version" or even "Richard Clayderman in bad boy mode".^[16] The musicologist Alain Duault [fr] is reported to have said "I don't consider him a classical pianist at all. His goal isn’t to bring something new to the classical repertoire, but to forge a link with popular music,", even going so far as to compare him to André Rieux or Richard Clayderman, soloists acclaimed by the general public. “I’m still amazed by their ability to fill stadiums."^[17]

• 2018: Ambassador for Salon du Luxe Paris^[40][41]
• 2019: Gold Single for the composition of "Matin" - Koba LaD ft. Maes
• 2019: Gold Single for the arrangement of "Journal Perso II" - Vald^[42][43]