Michel Petrucciani

The diminutive jazz pianist Michel Petrucciani battled with brittle bone disease during his career, a condition which led him to endure almost constant pain. He performed his first professional concert at the age of 13, and even though his father was understandably protective of his fragile son, Petrucciani eventually broke free of parental control and journeyed to Paris where he made a breakthrough performance at the Cliousclat Jazz Festival.

In 1982 Petrucciani travelled to California where he met up with saxophonist Charles Lloyd. They made an unlikely pairing but were highly respected in jazz circles after making an electrifying appearance at the Montreux Jazz Festival which was recorded and eventually made into an album.

Petrucciani moved to New York in 1984 where he would spend the rest of his life. It was his most productive period and he recorded some noted work with saxophonist Wayne Shorter and guitarist Jim Hall which resulted in the acclaimed album 'Power of Three'. He eventually died in 1999 from a combination of his medical condition, overwork and long term drink and drug abuse.