Background
Voumard was born in Biel/Bienne.
architect composer journalist pianist songwriter jazz musician
Voumard was born in Biel/Bienne.
He originally studied architecture in college before starting his musical career.
Voumard joined the Hazy Osterwald Orchestra in 1944. Four years later, in 1948, he created his own group. Voumard began broadcasting out of Radio Lausanne, which is now known as Radio Suisse Romande, in 1952.
He originally joined Radio Lausanne as an accompanist, pianist, composer and musical producer.
In 1966, Voumard became the station"s director of popular music He later served as Radio Lausanne"s director of light entertainment from 1969 until 1983.
Voumard founded the Montreux Jazz Festival with René Langel and Claude Nobs in 1967. Refrain was co-written by Émile Gardaz.
Voumard moved to the Provence region of France following his departure from radio broadcasting in the 1980s.
He worked as an architect in France before returning to his native Switzerland for the remainder of his life. Géo Voumard died at the age of 87. News of his death was first announced by ATS, A Swiss news agency.