3 December 2025

6:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Amphi Grand Kursaal

Paul-Fathi Lacombe

Born in 1985 to Ethiopian parents living in Gâtinais, Paul-Fathi Lacombe began playing the saxophone at the music school in Parthenay, in the Deux-Sèvres department, with Guy Banchereau as his first teacher. He remained there for three years and took the entrance exam for the Poitiers Conservatory at the age of 14. He then obtained his Diploma of Musical Studies (DEM) at the age of only 17. In 2004, Paul-Fathi entered the advanced program at the Montpellier Conservatory and was awarded first prize unanimously with honors from the jury at the Versailles Conservatory (Vincent David’s class). In 2006, he was admitted to the Paris Conservatory, in the chamber music class led by Eric Le Sage and Paul Meyer, where he obtained his advanced diploma. At the same time, Paul-Fathi won several top-level competitions: Gap (2003), UFAM (2005), Nantes (2006), FNAPEC (2007), Rotary Club’s Talent d’Or (2010), and Madrid (finalist, 2010). He has studied with many musicians, including Michel Portal, Thierry Escaich, Claire Désert, Maurice Bourgue, Steve Lacy, and Jean Mouillère. Paul-Fathi has been invited to perform as a soloist with several orchestras, including the Radio France Philharmonic Orchestra, the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, and the Republican Guard Orchestra. At the same time, he is a Professor of Artistic Education (PEA), holder of a State Diploma, and member of the jury of regional conservatories. He teaches saxophone and music theory at the Claude Debussy Conservatory in Villeneuve-la-Garenne (92) and at the School of Arts in Île-Saint-Denis (93). He is committed to passing on his passion to young people and to the most disadvantaged (he has been involved with UNICEF for many years). He is committed to passing on his passion to young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds (he has been involved with UNICEF for many years). Since 2006, he has been a consultant for the D’Addario company (Los Angeles).