Jazz Articles about Michel Petrucciani

Michel Petrucciani: So What: The Best of Michel Petrucciani

by Franz A. Matzner
July 1, 2004

Released in memory of pianist/composer Michel Petrucciani, So What presents a comprehensive introduction and carefully constructed homage to Petrucciani’s many musical sides.

Afflicted with ontogenesis imperfecta, a bone disorder, Petrucciani found his accomplished career cut short by a pulmonary infection when he was only thirty-six. He showed an early aptitude and interest in music, and he was already drawn to the piano by age four. Fostering these early signs of great talent, Petrucciani’s parents provided a classical training, but he ...

Michel Petrucciani, Anthony Jackson & Steve Gadd: Trio In Tokyo

by Mike Perciaccante
June 7, 2002

Recorded in 1997, this CD features the late Michel Petrucciani on piano, drummer extraordinaire Steve Gadd and bassist Anthony Jackson in a performance from the Blue Note in Tokyo.

One listen to Trio In Tokyo and it is apparent that this is Petrucciani's group. The diminutive pianist leads while Gadd and Jackson provide a killer rhythm section. Petrucciani, who passed away in January 1999 was a truly gifted player who could bring listeners to tears with his inventive strokes (an ...

Boxed Set (Concerts In: Michel Petrucciani

by Jim Santella
February 1, 2001

A lyrical pianist with a powerful, percussive style, Michel Petrucciani gave the world more than 20 years of exciting performances that have enthralled audiences worldwide. This three-disc collection includes three live appearances in France, Denmark and Japan with formats as solo, duo, and trio settings. With the pianist in Copenhagen is bassist Neils-Henning Orsted Pedersen. The Nabari, Japan piano trio performance includes drummer Lenny White and Petrucianni’s brother, Louis. All three performances took place in 1993-94.

As a solo performer, ...

Michel Petrucciani: Concerts

by AAJ Staff
November 1, 2000

Ever since Clark Terry quizzically discovered him in his native France and ever since Charles Lloyd generously ended his hermetic retreat to tour with him, Michel Petrucciani has captured the affection and admiration of musicians and listeners alike. In spite of his unavoidable physical limitations and the pain of his “glass bones disease," he created improvisational art and inspired everyone he met. Requiring leg extensions to operate the pedals, Petrucciani made up for that limitation with a very percussive approach ...

Michel Petrucciani: Trio In Tokyo

by Mark Corroto
May 1, 2000

Recorded at the Japanese Blue Note nightclub in November 1997, Trio In Tokyo documents the end of a brief and extraordinary life. Michel Petrucciani was born with a rare bone disease that severely inhibited his growth and took his life last year. But what he lacked in height, he more than made up for in expression. The pianist debuted at 17 with Clark Terry and Kenny Clarke in France. What Americans most remember about him was his presence in the ...

Michel Petrucciani: Solo Live

by Jim Santella
June 1, 1999

Recorded in 1997 before a large auditorium audience in Frankfurt, Germany, Michel Petrucciani’s solo album offers a good look at his expressive style. The pianist’s respect for a melody and unique left-hand accents make his performance both interesting and enjoyable. Born in France with a bone disease, Petrucciani was a child prodigy who learned rapidly and performed in a family jazz band with his father and brothers. Influenced by Bill Evans, Duke Ellington and others, the pianist used a harmonic ...