Jean Champeil studied the violin with Jules Boucherit, Marcel Chailley and Georges Enesco. Holder of prizes of the Nadaud and Ysaÿe competitions, he played in the Lamoureux Orchestra and at the opera. He was part of the Calvet Quartet and, following its dissolution in 1950, founded a quartet that beared his name, taking with him Maurice Husson. The Champeil Quartet was composed of himself, Georges Balbon, Maurice Husson and Manuel Recassens.