Emmanuel CAMBIER
March 28th 1970 Paris, France
Christina ZUMSTEIN
February 3rd 1971 Lucern, Switzerland
Late 1989 is probably the best time to pick up the story that leads up to the creation of "Magic Train".
We are in Australia on the Barrenjoey Peninsula, and the northern beaches of Sidney provide all the surf, the sun and crazy parties that a soon to be 20 year old Emmanuel could crave for.
But there is an itch, and that's the catch, something is taking more and more importance in this paradisiac picture... Music !
Surfing World Champion Wendy Botha not only kindly host Emmanuel, she soon introduces him to Mick Keysell, the most En Vue soul singer of the Peninsula.
Emmanuel just met his first music mentor and it suddenly hits home that music can actually be a job, as well as a passion, a revelation with future consequences.
The friendship with Mick and Kiri is still very real to this day !
We are in Australia on the Barrenjoey Peninsula, and the northern beaches of Sidney provide all the surf, the sun and crazy parties that a soon to be 20 year old Emmanuel could crave for.
But there is an itch, and that's the catch, something is taking more and more importance in this paradisiac picture... Music !
Surfing World Champion Wendy Botha not only kindly host Emmanuel, she soon introduces him to Mick Keysell, the most En Vue soul singer of the Peninsula.
Emmanuel just met his first music mentor and it suddenly hits home that music can actually be a job, as well as a passion, a revelation with future consequences.
The friendship with Mick and Kiri is still very real to this day !
Back in Paris by mid 1990 it is time to meet again with long time friend and guitarist Christophe Girard.
They immediately get to work on new songs and are soon joined by english drummer Marcus Godwyn to form the band "Fishes".
They immediately get to work on new songs and are soon joined by english drummer Marcus Godwyn to form the band "Fishes".
They are soon noticed in clubs and festivals where their unusual lineup (two guitars and drums) and their appetite for improvisation make them stand out among the alternative rock scene.
By the end of 1991 Emmanuel starts to feel a bit limited in this formula and decides to replace Christophe with California bassist David Becker.
By the end of 1991 Emmanuel starts to feel a bit limited in this formula and decides to replace Christophe with California bassist David Becker.
While it kind of made sense on paper, it fundamentally changed the human and creative balance of the band, who was not to survive this experience.
Emmanuel is then asked to come and sing for "Zoran & Friends", a famous 60's 70's Blues -Rock cover band. This proves to be a great opportunity to be confronted to a wide repertoire and to really focus on developing a very personal stage presence and persona.
Also a good opportunity (freed from playing the guitar) to develop an ear for minus details from the surrounding instruments.
Emmanuel is then asked to come and sing for "Zoran & Friends", a famous 60's 70's Blues -Rock cover band. This proves to be a great opportunity to be confronted to a wide repertoire and to really focus on developing a very personal stage presence and persona.
Also a good opportunity (freed from playing the guitar) to develop an ear for minus details from the surrounding instruments.
The band is then joined by drummer Doudou Weiss (1946-2024), a seasoned musician who had accompanied "Johnny Hallyday" throughout the 70's as well as participated to "Magma" for a couple years among many many other things.
Doudou and Emmanuel immediately connect, and Doudou invites him to join another cover band... "Drive In" featuring Dom Dazin (1960-2009) on guitar... and Christian Meliès on bass.
Doudou and Emmanuel immediately connect, and Doudou invites him to join another cover band... "Drive In" featuring Dom Dazin (1960-2009) on guitar... and Christian Meliès on bass.
Playing with Chelsea Sykes and Jackie Hawkins always was synonymous of high spirit and a ton of fun.
Be it as the "Gumbo Blues Brothers" or with Chelsea's "Rock & Roll Circus".
Alas... Jackie was to pass away in June 2023.
Jackie singing "Sacred Company" by Chelsea Sykes :
Be it as the "Gumbo Blues Brothers" or with Chelsea's "Rock & Roll Circus".
Alas... Jackie was to pass away in June 2023.
Jackie singing "Sacred Company" by Chelsea Sykes :
What so say about the meeting of artist Xumo Nunjo !
The first time Emmanuel and Xumo meet is during a concert at the "Front Page" were Xumo gets on stage to sing and play his trunk, a tribal instrument coming directly from Cameroon, Xumo's birth country.
Emmanuel soon gets on stage to jam and an instant brotherhood is born and still going on 30 years later, the creative flow between those two souls is something to watch for !
Emmanuel and Xumo share a common African heritage, Emmanuel's father being from neighbouring country Gaboon.
The first time Emmanuel and Xumo meet is during a concert at the "Front Page" were Xumo gets on stage to sing and play his trunk, a tribal instrument coming directly from Cameroon, Xumo's birth country.
Emmanuel soon gets on stage to jam and an instant brotherhood is born and still going on 30 years later, the creative flow between those two souls is something to watch for !
Emmanuel and Xumo share a common African heritage, Emmanuel's father being from neighbouring country Gaboon.
Drive In appears to be a great opportunity to further develop singing technique.
Emmanuel gradually introduces a vaudevillesque approach between songs that keeps the audience entertained and amused.
It's also a chance to tour across Europe.
Emmanuel gradually introduces a vaudevillesque approach between songs that keeps the audience entertained and amused.
It's also a chance to tour across Europe.
The break-up of Fishes is what got Emmanuel to start composing personal projects and learn orchestration, influenced by Bernstein, Mancini, Debussy, Stravinsky and of course Ravel.
This musical journey is developed in parallel with the multitude of gigs and playing percussions for dance lessons.
During this period he also produces the music composed by Luc Desroy for all the seasons of the BBC cartoon "Ethelbert The Tiger".
A great way to learn the rigor of producing for TV, the tight schedule, the work load, the technical challenges and the discipline.
This musical journey is developed in parallel with the multitude of gigs and playing percussions for dance lessons.
During this period he also produces the music composed by Luc Desroy for all the seasons of the BBC cartoon "Ethelbert The Tiger".
A great way to learn the rigor of producing for TV, the tight schedule, the work load, the technical challenges and the discipline.
LOVE IS THE ANSWER !
In this summer of 2001, Christina takes a trip to Paris to perfect her french.
She is in charge of a Swiss bank agency near Zurich and her career is soaring at a rapid pace.
But there is an itch, and that's the catch.
She is in charge of a Swiss bank agency near Zurich and her career is soaring at a rapid pace.
But there is an itch, and that's the catch.
One beautiful Paris evening...
She steps into the "River Side" club near Odeon and is immediately attracted to the music played and... You can guess what is about to happen...
A romantic promenade along La Seine... And a first kiss !
The few days following this evening will see two souls learning to know and appreciate each other...
To the point that they soon realize that life without the other isn't an option anymore.
After a year of constant trips between Paris and Zurich, decision is made and Christina moves in with Emmanuel !
She steps into the "River Side" club near Odeon and is immediately attracted to the music played and... You can guess what is about to happen...
A romantic promenade along La Seine... And a first kiss !
The few days following this evening will see two souls learning to know and appreciate each other...
To the point that they soon realize that life without the other isn't an option anymore.
After a year of constant trips between Paris and Zurich, decision is made and Christina moves in with Emmanuel !
It turns out that they both share a common passion for photography and cinema, and are both avid movie buffs as well as total music lovers.
They soon get all kind of cameras and start refining their skills.
In 2008 they finally receive their much awaited Red One camera # 1276, a total game changer in Digital Cinema and in the industry at large.
They soon get all kind of cameras and start refining their skills.
In 2008 they finally receive their much awaited Red One camera # 1276, a total game changer in Digital Cinema and in the industry at large.
This is a turning point and they soon find themselves shooting hundreds of projects all across the globe.
From commercials and music videos to independent movies, they encounter all types of productions and teams.
This sure is an important part of their common lives... And a good one at that !!
From commercials and music videos to independent movies, they encounter all types of productions and teams.
This sure is an important part of their common lives... And a good one at that !!
But the continuous traveling is taking a serious toll on family life, especially since their two sons Alexandre and Armel are requiring more and more attention... Also, there is an itch, and that's the catch !
Music is calling and Emmanuel is now fully committed to improve his skills as a Music Producer, Recording and Mastering Engineer in an effort to achieve complete independence, a long time dream.
After several years of hard work, the concept for Magic Train is finally made possible thanks to Christina's implication as a Singer, Editor and Executive Producer... This now gives the much needed framework for all things to fall into place.
The release of their debut album "S.O.B. Save Our Boat" in 2025 is a new beginning for a trip started long long ago...
All aboard !!
Music is calling and Emmanuel is now fully committed to improve his skills as a Music Producer, Recording and Mastering Engineer in an effort to achieve complete independence, a long time dream.
After several years of hard work, the concept for Magic Train is finally made possible thanks to Christina's implication as a Singer, Editor and Executive Producer... This now gives the much needed framework for all things to fall into place.
The release of their debut album "S.O.B. Save Our Boat" in 2025 is a new beginning for a trip started long long ago...
All aboard !!
