Richard Galliano

A renowned jazz accordionist, Richard Galliano has been adapting to all styles since his debut in the 1990s. Born in Cannes on December 12, 1950, this disciple of Astor Piazzolla and former accompanist to Claude Nougaro and Chet Baker has moved from chanson to jazz with ease and brio, producing rich albums such as Viaggio (1993), or the tango theme tune for the TV series P.J. in 1996. Jazz greats flocked to his often award-winning albums, from French Touch (1998) to Face to Face (2001). From 2010 onwards, the accordion virtuoso pays tribute to the composers who inspired him: Bach, then Vivaldi in 2013 and Mozart in 2016 (albums released by Deutsche Grammophon). The musician devotes other albums to figures from the past century, in Nino Rota for the Fellinian side and his favourite composer in 2011, Tango Live Forever featuring Astor Piazzolla in 2012 and Tribute to Michel Legrand in 2019. In 2014, Richard Galliano in Brazil celebrates the local repertoire with local musicians. The following year, he teamed up with guitarist Sylvain Luc for a double tribute to Édith Piaf and Gus Viseur on the album La Vie en Rose : Rencontres. Later, Richard Galliano collaborates with double bassist Ron Carter to record the recital Aria, released in 2017. After the thematic album Valse(s) in 2020, his 1993 classic is reissued with alternative takes under the title New Viaggio in 2025.