Michel-Yves Kochmann, born on November 6, 1962, in Mulhouse, France, is a guitarist and composer. He studied classical guitar under Patrick de Belleville and at the Tours Regional Conservatory, winning first prize in Superior Guitar in 1983. Kochmann's career began as a bass player for the big band of Marc Robert in 1976. He has collaborated with notable artists including Alain Souchon, Laurent Voulzy, Jane Birkin, and Julien Clerc. Kochmann directed the music for Jane Birkin's live show at Bataclan in 1987 and toured extensively with Alain Souchon from 1989 to 2010. He contributed to albums such as Caché derrière by Laurent Voulzy (1992) and Au ras des pâquerettes by Alain Souchon (1999). Kochmann's solo works include Souchon du bout des doigts (1995) and Only Guitars (2007).
