Jean-Luc Ponty in Wrocław: jazz and fusion in the French virtuoso’s violin sound

Jean-Luc Ponty – the legendary jazz violinist will play in Wrocław!

Jean-Luc Ponty, one of the greatest violinists in the history not only of jazz but of music itself, described by critics as “the gold standard of fusion”, comes to Wrocław at Ethno Jazz Festival's invitation.
On 5 March, he will perform at the White Stork Synagogue with JEAN-LUC PONTY & CLARA PONTY QUARTET.

Jean-Luc Ponty and his daughter Clara Ponty offer a unique concert of their own compositions, mixing Jean-Luc's classics with Clara's original pieces. The line-up also features the excellent drummer Damien Schmitt and double bassist Nathanael Malnoury.
Together they form a highly creative rhythm section that brings a contemporary spirit while preserving the repertoire's lyrical, poetic qualities. The quartet radiates intense, fresh and communicative energy.

JEAN-LUC PONTY is an undisputed creator of the iconic jazz-rock style. He is regarded as an artist equally at home in classical music, swing and modern jazz.

Violin legend Stuff Smith said of Ponty: “He is a killer; he plays jazz on violin like Coltrane plays saxophone.” Jean-Luc Ponty was born in Avranches on 29 September 1942. His parents played classical music, his mother on piano and father on violin. Jean-Luc proved a child prodigy. At 16, he entered the famous Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris, graduating just two years later with the highest distinction, Premier Prix. Meanwhile, his father also taught him clarinet, and Jean-Luc discovered the music of Miles and Coltrane.

Shortly afterwards, he was hired by one of the leading symphony orchestras, Concerts Lamoreux, while also playing local events with a band. Eventually, he decided to leave the orchestra to devote himself entirely to jazz. The beginnings were difficult. At the time, the violin was seen as an instrument that did not belong in modern jazz. Yet Ponty stood out dramatically, playing as nobody had previously dared. Critics said he was the first violinist to prove as exciting as a saxophonist.

In 1964, he released his solo debut, “Jazz Long Playing”. This was followed by “Violin Summit”, documenting a 1966 concert in Basel, where Ponty performed with well-known musicians including Stéphane Grappélli and Stuff Smith.
In 1969, Jean-Luc recorded the cult album “Hot Rats” with Frank Zappa. Zappa, in turn, wrote and arranged several utterly brilliant pieces for Ponty, including for Jean-Luc’s solo album “King Kong”.
Ponty emigrated to the United States with his wife and two daughters, settling in Los Angeles. He then undertook a lengthy tour with Zappa before eventually beginning a solo career.

Over the following decade, Ponty toured worldwide and recorded further albums, all of which reached the top five of the Billboard Jazz chart and sold millions of copies.

CLARA PONTY is a French-American pianist, singer and composer who draws inspiration from her diverse musical background.
Born in Paris and raised in Los Angeles, she began learning the violin and piano at the age of 5. She wrote her first piece when she was eight and won her first piano competition four years later.
At the age of 20, however, she stopped entering competitions to concentrate on writing music. She released her first recordings under the auspices of Universal Music in New York, attracting worldwide attention and establishing her reputation as a solo pianist. Shortly afterwards came “Mirror of Truth”, an album she created with her father, Jean-Luc Ponty.
Clara combines her jazz heritage with popular music to captivating effect.
She released “Echoes” in 2010 in collaboration with German jazz musicians including Wolfgang Haffner, Dieter Ilg and Ernest Stroer. The album was nominated for an Echo award in Germany.

After releasing four instrumental albums, Clara began work on a vocal album, singing the songs herself.

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