Michel Petrucciani
One Night In Karlsruhe

THE REVIEW

Impossible is nothing. Impossible is not a rule, it's a challenge. This was said by a guy who started boxing because his bicycle was stolen and became the world heavyweight champion, the greatest of all time.

That impossible is nothing must have been something Michel knew very well as a child too. His father gave him a plastic piano when, at four years old, he saw a performance by the “Duke” on television and was mesmerized. He smashed the toy piano with a hammer. He wanted a real one. His father, being a good jazz guitarist, bought him a real piano.

Thus begins the legend of the “glass pianist” Michel Petrucciani, suffering from the congenital disease osteogenesis imperfecta, which as an adult left him at a height of 97 centimeters, weighing 27 kilos. In the 1800s, he would have been labeled a Freak. But Michel, who indeed had bones of glass, possessed a determination of steel and at thirteen started playing with trumpeter Clark Terry, never to stop again.

Today I talk to you about the double Album recorded live in Germany in July of 1988 titled “One Night in Karlsruhe.” The musicians, Gary Peacock on double bass and Roy Haynes on drums, are the same who less than a year earlier had recorded with him for Blue Note “Michel Plays Petrucciani.” It can be considered an extension of that record as it includes both the five tracks composed by Michel already present in it, and five jazz standards like “There Will Never Be Another You” by Harry Warre, “In a Sentimental Mood” by the “Duke,” “Embraceable You” by George Gershwin, “Giant Step” by Trane and “My Funny Valentine” by Richard Rodgers.

The alchemy between Petrucciani, Gary, and Roy is perfect. The right balance between technical virtuosity, lyricism, and an immense passion for playing, and the audience notices it.

Thanks to the extraordinary piano technique he has mastered, Petrucciani has the gift of independence of the right hand from the left and, despite his stature, he climbs the harmonic progressions with an exhilarating lightness with Peacock and Haynes keeping up with him like the great professionals they are. What are my favorite tracks? I liked them all, so I can only recommend that you (re)listen to the entire album.

If that stubborn head of Michel hadn't decided to take a walk in the New York snow at 36 years old in January '99, he would certainly still be with us, showing us that impossible is nothing.

But it is the prerogative of geniuses to burn their lives with the dazzling light of a Supernova.