Michel Petrucciani

Although Michel Petrucciani died far too young at the age of 36, he plunged into life with enthusiasm during his time on Earth. Hampered by a bone disease that resulted in severely stunted growth and the need to use crutches to walk, he still comes across as a humorous, talented individual in the well-crafted Non-Stop Travels with Michel Petrucciani, an hourlong documentary. The film covers many different aspects of his life: the challenges of childhood and his introduction to music, the warm reunion with saxophonist Charles Lloyd (whom he inspired to come out of retirement with his brilliant piano playing), a rehearsal with violinist Stéphane Grappelli during the making of the CD Flamingo, excerpts from a solo concert, plus informal conversations with friends in various locations in France and the U.S., where his positive attitude overcomes the pain he must have felt every day from his handicap. Petrucciani is an engaging storyteller and able to make fun of himself. The touching finale consists of his ascent up the stairs to the top of a Manhattan skyscraper to be filmed playing piano on the rooftop by a helicopter overhead, with his closing comment being "I hate to say goodbye." Not only will jazz fans delight in viewing this documentary, but students of this art form will benefit from watching this moving, often hilarious program. The second half of the DVD is a 1998 trio concert with bassist Anthony Jackson and drummer Steve Gadd at the Kultur und Kongresszentrum Liederhalle in Stuttgart, Germany. While the late Bill Evans was an early influence, Petrucciani widened his approach to include Latin and funk in his playing. The program focuses primarily on his own compositions, though his subtle arrangement of Miles Davis' modal masterpiece "So What" and the rapid-fire introduction to Billy Strayhorn's "Take the 'A' Train" give fresh looks to familiar jazz standards. The performance is beautifully photographed and edited, with excellent sound. ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide