Michel Petrucciani - outstanding Frencha jazz pianist. Despite his physical defect (he had imperfect osteogenesis, a genetic disorder that destroyed bone tissue, stopped his growth), he became a famous improviser who created his own eclectic style with perfect technique and repertoire, characterized by romantic melodism. Although Petrucciani often collaborated with well-known musicians, including jazz saxophonists Lee Konitz and Charles Lloyd, he is better known for his solo performances using original compositions and jazz standards.
Was born on the 28.12.1962 in Orange, France, in a musical Italian family, he played drums in a band with his father, guitarist Tony Petrucciani, and Louis's brother, bassist, Michel's congenital disease, also known as the "crystal man" disease, accompanied by numerous bone fractures, was the cause of its low growth - it had only 91 cm in height and weighed almost 50 kg.
Since childhood, Petrucciani has a talent formusic. By the time he learned to speak, he was already singing Wes Montgomery's solo. The pianist who had the most influence on Michelle was Bill Evans, whom he first heard at the age of ten. With this early acquaintance, his multi-layered jazz harmonies, lyric style and articulation of the melody were always strongly associated. Michel Petrucciani, whose biography in music began with studying classical pianos at the age of four, already created compositions with his family at nine.
When Michel was thirteen, he gave histhe first professional concert. The boy had to stand on stage, and he used a special device to press the piano pedals. The physical flaw did not affect the hands of the musician, and, as they say, he played with amazing energy and enthusiasm.
At the age of fifteen musician MichelPetrucciani went to Paris. There he played with Kenny Clark in 1977 and in 1978 with Clark Terry. The breakthrough came at the Kuskis jazz festival. Clark Terry lost the pianist, and when Michelle was taken to the stage, Terry thought it was a joke. Petrucciani's height did not exceed 90 cm. But his performance impressed Terry and the other participants of the festival, it was amazingly talented and virtuoso. Clark said he was deeply moved by his game. He was a dwarf, but played like a giant.
Travel to Paris left mixedimpressions, but undoubtedly contributed to the musical and personal transformation of Michel. According to him, “everything was mainly about drugs and strange women, but I was lucky to get out unscathed.” Petrucciani’s behavior in France was largely immature and insecure, despite his considerable talent. He wore a cap and often acted assertively and tough, addressing people familiarly.
After Paris, pianist Michel Petruccianishort time back home. He began his professional career, living with drummer Aldo Romano. Michelle made notes on Owl Records and made friends with her owner Jean-Jacques Pousset. The latter later recalled that Petrucciani, it seemed, was always in a hurry, saying that he did not want to waste time. But Michel wanted to become independent from Romano, too, with whom he did not feel free. He needed to run. He needed to go as far as he could. And he went to California.
Michel Petrucciani finds himself in the United Statesin 1982, where he came to visit saxophonist Charles Lloyd, who retired from jazz. Lloyd stopped performing when listeners began to consider his musicians more fashionable than himself. After listening to the game Petruchchiani, the saxophonist was so inspired that he agreed to go with him on a concert tour. Lloyd told Michel: “I was not going to perform again. You provoked me. I heard this beauty in you and told myself that I should take you all over the world, because it was so beautiful, as if it was the call of providence. ”
Выступления Петруччиани и Ллойда на западном the coast was a huge success, and they continued them abroad. On February 22, 1985, with Michel in his arms, Lloyd stepped onto the stage of the City Hall in New York and sat him at the piano to play a historic concert in the history of jazz. There were shooting the movie One Night with Blue Note. Film director John Charles Jopson later recalled that this moment had moved him to tears.
Выступления Петруччиани и Ллойда на Джазовом The festival was compiled into an album that in 1982 won Prix d’Excellence. But mostly Michelle expressed contempt and disappointment at the awards. In his opinion, they attacked him in such numbers, as people thought that he would die young.
Pianist Michel Petrucciani in 1984moved to new york and spent the rest of his life there. It was one of the most fruitful stages of his career. The musician recorded with Jim Hall and Wayne Shorter, releasing the album Power of Three. In 1986, Petruchchiani recorded a live album with the same musicians. He also spoke with the famous figure of the US jazz scene Dizzy Gillespie.
Michel Petrucciani preferred recording albumssolo. He said: “I believe that the pianist is not held until he can perform on his own. I started giving solo concerts in February 1993, when I asked my agent for a year to cancel my performances in the trio in order to play nothing but solo concerts ... I had a wonderful time speaking alone, rediscovering the piano for myself and every evening you learn something new. I learned so much about the instrument and about direct communication with the audience. It was an incredible experience. I really liked to perform solo - after that, going on stage with a group and playing with other people became a trifle! ”
In his personal life he had five significantrelations: with Erlinda Montagno (marriage), Eugenia Morrison, Mari-Laura Ropersch, Italian pianist Guilda Butta (marriage lasted three months and ended in divorce) and Isabelle Mele (with whom he shared the grave). Married to Mari-Laura, he had a son, Alexander, who inherited his fortune. In addition, he had a stepson Rashid Ropersh.
In 1994, jazz pianist Michel Petrucciani was awarded the Order of the Legion of Honor in Paris.
В конце 1990 годов образ жизни Петруччиани getting harder. Musically, he was moving at a frantic pace. The pianist performed more than a hundred times a year, and in 1998, a year before his death, he gave 140 concerts. His social life was also becoming more and more expensive - he began to drink more and experiment with cocaine. Michelle became too weak to use crutches, and began to move in a wheelchair. According to the last manager, Petruchchiani, he worked too hard - not only did he record and give concerts, but he was always on television and always gave interviews. He overworked, and it was obvious. He demanded too much from himself.
Michel Petrucciani died immediately after his 36th birthday from a lung infection. He was buried at the Pere Lachaise cemetery in Paris.
Wayne Shorter summed up the main traitsand the style of Michel Petrucciani: “There are so many people walking around, tall and normal, they have everything they were born with, with normal length of legs, arms and everything else. They are symmetrical in all respects, but they live as if they are armless, legless, brainless, and live their lives, constantly complaining. I never heard Michel complaining. He looked in the mirror and did not complain about what he saw there. Michel Petruchtchiani was a great musician - great because he was a great man, he had the ability to feel and give this feeling to others, and he gave it to other people through his music. ”
