Michel Petrucciani Trio — Liederhalle, Stuttgart, 1998

Filmed live in 1998 at the Liederhalle in Stuttgart, this concert brings French pianist Michel Petrucciani together with two giants of the American rhythm section: bassist Anthony Jackson and drummer Steve Gadd. Recorded only months before the pianist’s death, this full concert captures Petrucciani at the height of his lyricism, moving between blazing swing and ballads of rare tenderness. The trio unfolds with formidable precision, driven by Gadd’s elastic groove and Jackson’s deep bass lines, leaving the piano all the room it needs for melodic flights and storytelling. This live performance shows the maturity of a musician who shaped European jazz in the 1990s. For the connoisseur it is a precious document: the stage, the sweat, the mutual listening — everything that makes live jazz magical. Despite the physical challenges of his condition, Petrucciani plays with breathtaking power and joy, a reminder of why he remains one of the most beloved pianists in the history of European jazz. A cornerstone to rediscover as a filmed concert, in Stuttgart, in 1998.