Alix Combelle, born on June 15, 1912, in Paris, France, was a prominent French swing saxophonist, clarinetist, and bandleader. His father, François Combelle, was a classical saxophonist with the Band of the Republican Guard, which influenced Alix's musical path. Initially a drummer in the late 1920s, Alix transitioned to playing the clarinet and tenor saxophone in the early 1930s, performing in theater pit orchestras in Paris.

Combelle became a key figure in the French jazz scene, especially noted for his work in the 1930s and 1940s. He was associated with several prominent bands, including those led by Gregor (Krikor Kelekian), Arthur Briggs, Michel Warlop, and Ray Ventura. His collaborations extended to working with American jazz musicians such as Benny Carter, Coleman Hawkins, and Bill Coleman, among others. He was also a member of the Quintette du Hot Club de France, recording with Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli.

In the 1940s, Combelle led the band Jazz de Paris and continued to be an influential figure in jazz, recording for the Swing label. His contributions to jazz were significant enough that he was nicknamed "Le premier négre du jazz, made in France" (The first "black" French jazz musician), highlighting his pivotal role in the development of French jazz. Alix Combelle passed away on March 2, 1978, in Mantes-la-Jolie, France, leaving behind a legacy as one of France's leading jazz musicians of the swing era.