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A pillar of jazz-fusion, classically trained at The Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris and jazz influenced by late-night side gigs, violinist Jean-Luc Ponty has been a creative innovator in the genre since 1969. At that juncture he recorded his first American album King Kong featuring compositions by Frank Zappa (he convinced Ponty to move to Los Angeles), and also worked with the iconoclastic bandleader’s Mothers of Invention band until 1974. Additionally, the violinist recorded Electric Connection with The Gerald Wilson Big Band, combined his explorative free jazz Jean-Luc Ponty Experience group with keyboardist George Duke’s Trio (later became a Zappa band mate) and was recruited by Elton John to play on his top-selling Honky Chateau album.
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Jean Luc Ponty Preview
by Chris Walker
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Ponty significantly transcended from being a highly regarded sideman and leader to a superstar when he joined iconic guitarist John McLaughlin’s Mahivishnu Orchestra at its popularity apex in 1974. Two years later the Frenchman went on to pursue a solo career. It has included notable collaborations with bassist legend Stanley Clarke and French guitarist Biréli Lagrène, Rite of Strings with guitar wizard Al Di Meola and Clarke, and a prog-rock group with former Yes vocalist/lyricist Jon Anderson.
Additionally, the violinist recorded and performed with recently passed away guitar legend Allan Holdsworth, genre transcending banjo virtuoso Béla Fleck, fusion pioneers Chick Corea and Return to Forever IV, Indian fusion master violinist L. Subramaniam and West African musicians for acoustic world music explorations. In the realm of classical Ponty has melded with violinists Nigel Kennedy and Mark O’Connor, Russian violist/conductor Yuri Bashmet, and pianist Wolfgang Dauner. Furthermore, the French-American been immersed in composer/arranger Lalo Schifrin and his daughter/singer/composer Clara Ponty’s music, and performed with symphony orchestras throughout the world. Essentially, Jon-Luc Ponty’s music is boundless and continually evolving.
From June 3rd to June 8th he will be playing at several California venues for “The Atlantic Years Tour (1975-1997)” with Jamie Glaser-guitars, Wally Minko-keyboards, Baron Browne- bass and Rayford Griffin-drums. Selections from the violinist’s most popular recordings 1976 Imaginary Voyage, 1977 Enigmatic Ocean, 1978 Cosmic, 1979 A Taste for Passion and other subsequent projects will be highlighted.
Jun 03, 2017
Saban Theater
8440 Wilshire Blvd
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
Saban Theater
(323) 655-0111
sabanconcerts.com
Jun 04, 2017
With guest: Mads Tolling (violin)
Regency Ballroom
1290 Sutter St, San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 673-5716
www.theregencyballroom.com
Jun 05, 2017
With guest: Mads Tolling (violin)
Rio Theatre
1205 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 423-8209
www.riotheatre.com
Jun 07, 2017
The Coach House
33157 Camino Capistrano,
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
(949) 496-8930
thecoachhouse.com
Jun 08, 2017
The Canyon
28912 Roadside Dr
Agoura Hills, CA 91301
Phone: (818) 593-0135
canyonclub.net