BMG and The Montreux Jazz Festival have today announced the release of "Michel Petrucciani: The Montreux Years" on Friday 07 April 2023 and available to pre-order now. The brand-new release in The Montreux Years series is a collection of Michel Petrucciani's most memorable performances at the Montreux Jazz Festival from 1990 – 1998.
Born in the South of France in 1962, Michel Petrucciani was diagnosed with osteogenesis imperfecta – or "glass bone disease" and only ever grew to 99cm. Despite his health condition, Petrucciani went on to become one of the most accomplished jazz pianists of his generation and became a musical prodigy.
At the age of 13, Petrucciani gave his first professional concert performance and became famous locally. However, the young star dreamed of America and in 1982 found himself in California where he met jazz saxophonist Charles Lloyd. In the 80s Petrucciani became the first European artist to sign with the American jazz label Blue Note Records, the most prolific, influential, and respected jazz label of the 20th century. It was at Blue Note Records where Petrucciani made seven albums including his acclaimed LP 'Michel Plays Petrucciani'.
As well as his own remarkable solo career, Michel Petrucciani was a celebrated collaborator for some of music's biggest artists, including Freddie Hubbard who invited him to join his All Star band. Overcoming physical disabilities to become a world-renowned pianist, Petrucciani was awarded the prestigious Prix Django Reinhardt in 1984 and during the same year his album '100 Hearts' won a Grand Prix Du Disque, the French equivalent of a Grammy Award. In 1994 Petrucciani was made a knight by François Mitterrand, the French president at the time.
A collection of Petrucciani's most memorable performances at The Montreux Jazz Festival from 1990 – 1998, fans of the legendary jazz pianist can relive some of his biggest recordings on Michel Petrucciani: The Montreux Years. Encapsulating his time at the festival, the release opens with 1997's "35 Seconds of Music and More" and "Estate" from the 1982 album of the same name. Delving further into Petrucciani's repertoire, Michel Petrucciani: The Montreux Years includes the 1991 hit "Rachid" and "Little Peace in C for U".