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Following the recent deaths of French bass star, Jean-François Jenny Clark and vocal legend Betty Carter, came news of the sudden death last month of French pianist Michel Petrucciani. His death stunned not just because of his age he was 36 but also because he had managed to overcome so much in his early life that he had begun to seem charmed. Despite a crippling bone disease that severely impeded his growth and caused great pain, Petrucciani became the first French jazz artist to attain world renown since the late violinist Stephane Grappelli. Appropriately, Grappelli's last album "Flamingo," (Dreyfus) was a joint effort with Petrucciani. Despite his admiration for Bill Evans, his playing wasn't known for its intimacy; it was bold and could be surprisingly robust, with a bright, pristine tone that some critics found too cold. His talent made him the first Frenchman to land a contract with the Blue Note label. His recordings were marked by his spirit of exploration, with everything from a trio with saxophonist Wayne Shorter and guitarist Jim Hall to an electric band. Just before Christmas, Blue Note re-released all his work in a seven-disc box set, "The Complete Recordings of Michel Petrucciani: The Blue Note Years, 1986-1994." I never got a chance to interview Petrucciani although I had scheduled a telephone interview with him this month. But his name came up when I met with Stefano Di Battista last December (see accompanying article). "Michel's a genius not just of music but of life. The same quality he brings to his music, he brings to his human relationships. The thing about Michel is his human sensibility. I've never seen a sensibility like that. As soon as he arrives, he understands immediately and without a word your mood: whether you're happy, or sad or lonely. He is unique." The title of his last album "Solo Live" (Dreyfus) was symbolic, for it was in concert and alone that he shone the most. Whether it's giving Christmas concerts for inmates of a French prison alongside the Archie Shepp Quartet, or performing in clubs, bass player-vocalist Fred Clayton is used to playing to a captive audience. Clayton's group, the International Rhythm Connexion, featuring Chris Dailey on drums, Gilles Fegeant on guitar and Gulliver Allwood on sax, combines elements of the blues, r'n'b, jazz and funk to produce a distinctly urban music with a dancing groove. They've just launched their first CD, "Keepin' The Blues Alive," and will be celebrating at the Macadam Café every Friday and Saturday night this month. Fred Clayton & International Rhythm Connexion, Fri and Sat nights in February, 10:30pm, Macadam Café, 48, bd de Clichy, 18e, Metro Clichy, 10:30pm, free admission, drinks from 30F. |
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