Jacques Loussier

Jacques Loussier was born on October 26, 1934, in Angers, France. He began playing piano at age ten and entered the Conservatoire de Paris at age sixteen, studying under Yves Nat. While practicing Bach's preludes and inventions, Loussier began improvising swinging syncopated basslines and swing rhythms, discovering an innate rhythmic affinity between Baroque counterpoint and modern jazz.

In 1959, Loussier formed the Play Bach Trio with bassist Pierre Michelot and percussionist Christian Garros. Their debut album, 'Play Bach No. 1', was an international sensation, blending strict adherence to Bach's original contrapuntal notes with subtle swing and jazz improvisation. The trio released five consecutive bestselling 'Play Bach' albums, selling over seven million records and touring the world's most prestigious concert halls for two decades. Loussier also built the famed Miraval Recording Studio in Provence, France, where legendary rock bands including Pink Floyd (recording 'The Wall'), AC/DC, The Cure, and Sade recorded seminal albums. In later years, Loussier expanded his jazz interpretations to Vivaldi's 'Four Seasons', Satie, Ravel, and Debussy, and composed concertos for violin and trumpet.