Michel Petrucciani Trio; Jazz Club Montmartre | CPH 1988

Sensational French pianist Michel Petrucciani was well on his way to the summit of the jazz mountain when he passed away in 1999 at the tender age of 36. The European label Stoyville Records has, to our delight, issued this 1988 live performance of Petrucciani with jazz greats Gary Peacock on bass and Roy Haines on drums. On this two-CD set Petrucciani is simply head shakingly amazing. Total playing time is well over 100 minutes of pure piano joy and brilliance. The Frenchman is a fountain of creativity and is absolutely stunning at an often frenetic pace. He and his trio mates move from one five star selection to another. Seven of the twelve pieces are his incredible originals, but he also finds room for material by stalwarts Rodgers and Hart, Duke Ellington, Ornette Coleman, Kosma and Mercer, and Churchill and Morey's “Someday My Prince Will Come”. If you are smart enough to still be buying CDs this is a MUST. His audience is wildly enthusiastic at the end of each track and I believe that you will be too. It is tragic that we lost this savant so young. But here is your chance to revel in his piano genius.

Storyville; 2024; 2 CD's: 50:30 and 56:12