finetune artist: Michel Petrucciani

b. 28 December 1962, Orange, France, d. 6 January 1999, New York City, New York, USA. Born into a musical family, his father, Antoine "Tony" Petrucciani, was an accomplished guitarist, Petrucciani played drums and piano as a child. He gave his first solo concert at the age of 13, at the Cliousclat Festival. After playing with Kenny Clarke and Clark Terry at the age of 15, Petrucciani moved to Paris, recorded his first album, and formed a successful duo with Lee Konitz just two years later. Moving to California in 1982, he joined Charles Lloyd's new quartet. However, it was a solo performance at Carnegie Hall as part of the Kool Jazz Festival that resulted in widespread critical acclaim. In 1986 Petrucciani became the first French musician to sign a contract with Blue Note Records. Michel Plays Petrucciani featured all his own compositions and included some sparkling guitar work from John Abercrombie. Of the dozens of Duke Ellington tributes recorded over the years, Petrucciani's Promenade With Duke oozed respect for the master. During a productive career, Petrucciani also worked with organist Eddy Louiss, his childhood idol Stphane Grappelli, and Wayne Shorter in Manhattan Project.

Listen to Michel Petrucciani at Finetune.

Looking Up
Brazillian Suite
Besame Mucho
Caravan
In A Sentimental Mood