Paul Cormier (10 May 1922 – 7 June 2006) was a violinist from Quebec, Canada, known by his stage name Monsieur Pointu."A violinmaker practices his timeless craft in the heart of Montreal". Apr 21, 2012, Hamilton Spectator
Early life Cormier was born in Les Escoumins, North Shore, Quebec, into a family of traveling musicians."Mort de Monsieur Pointu". Radio Canada, June 8, 2006. He began learning to play the fiddle at the age of nine. He served in the military during World War II."Il y a 11 ans, la Beauce accueillait «Monsieur Pointu»". Beauce Magazine, Yvon Thibodeau
Career As a young man, Cormier played violin on CBJ radio in Chicoutimi, and later in dance clubs and hotels in Montreal. He performed with musicians Willie Lamothe, Marcel Martel, Roger Miron, and Paul Brunelle,"Qui est Monsieur Pointu?". Le Jornal de Quebec, 11 September 2014. and also as an opening solo act at concerts. In the 1970s he toured in Europe and Africa with singer Gilbert Bécaud, taking on the stage name Monsieur Pointu,"Monsieur Pointu meurt à l'âge de 84 ans". TVA Nouvelles, 7 June 2006. and also hosted a television folk music series on Télé-Métropole.
Cormier played the sound track for an animated film about his music, Monsieur Pointu, which was nominated for an Academy Award in 1976."The Choices ". March 27, 1976, The Ottawa Journal Section 3, Page 37 In 1977 he performed at the Fete Nationale in Montreal's Olympic Stadium to a crowd of 40,000."Celebration explodes as Fete Nationale opens". Medicine Hat News, June 24, 1977, Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada
Cormier died June 6, 2006, in Blainville, Quebec. After his death, Cormier's violin was donated to the Jules Saint-Michel violin museum."Dans l'atelier de Jules Saint-Michel, luthier". 24 Montreal, 08/03/2012. Jean-François Villeneuve
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