Jacques Loussier

The Profile

Jacques Loussier (1934–2019) was a French pianist, composer and bandleader best known for jazz interpretations of Johann Sebastian Bach and for leading the Play Bach Trio.

The album "Bach - The Brandenburgs" was recorded in Paris (Palais des Congrès) with Benoit Dunoyer de Segonzac (bass) and André Arpino (drums) and presents jazz trio reinterpretations of Bach's Brandenburg Concertos; the review highlights the Fifth Concerto as the album's central episode.

Jacques Loussier reworks Bach's Brandenburg Concertos for piano trio, stripping orchestration to core themes and launching into jazz improvisation. The album favors minimal sketches for most concertos but treats the Fifth Concerto with deeper development. Strong instrumental cohesion of the trio is praised; purists may disapprove, while listeners seeking inventive crossover will enjoy it.