Jean-Luc Ponty
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Jean-Luc Ponty (born September 29, 1942) is a virtuoso French violinist and jazz composer.
Born in Avranches, France, he was trained as a professional classical violinist at the Paris Conservatory. His attraction to jazz was propelled by Miles Davis’s and John Coltrane’s music.
He has worked with Stéphane Grappelli, the Mahavishnu Orchestra, and Frank Zappa, and has appeared on over seventy recordings.
In 1977 he pioneered the use of the 5-string electric violin, with a lower C string. He sometimes also uses a 6-string electric violin called the Violectra, with low C and F strings – not to be confused with the violectra he played from the late 1960s to the mid-80s which had 4 strings, but tuned an octave lower. Ponty was among the first to combine the violin with MIDI, distortion boxes, phase shifters, and wah-wah pedals. This resulted in his signature, almost synthesizer-like sound.
In 2005 Ponty formed the acoustic fusion supergroup TRIO! with legendary bassist Stanley Clarke and Banjo virtuoso Bela Fleck.
Born in Avranches, France, he was trained as a professional classical violinist at the Paris Conservatory. His attraction to jazz was propelled by Miles Davis’s and John Coltrane’s music.
He has worked with Stéphane Grappelli, the Mahavishnu Orchestra, and Frank Zappa, and has appeared on over seventy recordings.
In 1977 he pioneered the use of the 5-string electric violin, with a lower C string. He sometimes also uses a 6-string electric violin called the Violectra, with low C and F strings – not to be confused with the violectra he played from the late 1960s to the mid-80s which had 4 strings, but tuned an octave lower. Ponty was among the first to combine the violin with MIDI, distortion boxes, phase shifters, and wah-wah pedals. This resulted in his signature, almost synthesizer-like sound.
In 2005 Ponty formed the acoustic fusion supergroup TRIO! with legendary bassist Stanley Clarke and Banjo virtuoso Bela Fleck.
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Top Albums
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Tchokola
Jean-Luc Ponty
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King Kong
Jean-Luc Ponty Buy- Download Album
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Storytelling
Jean-Luc Ponty Buy- Download Album
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The Gift Of Time
Jean-Luc Ponty Buy- Download Album
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Shoutbox
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AgutnaM wrote:
Thanks for the concert in Chile. I've listened to the most beautiful sounds and music... I will always keep it in my memory.
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Mars312 wrote:
Storytelling is beautiful.
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PUCIKKO wrote:
f a n t a s t i c o
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Assedor wrote:
He's one of those who continue to make juzz-rock music such a fashionable nowadays. Although his music is overloaded with philosophical concepts in it is pure joy.
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JBThazard wrote:
Also his connections with Stanley Clarke/Al di Meola/Return to Forever gets me MORE interested.
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JBThazard wrote:
I want to check this man out. Seems like a great contemporary jazz writer, and I'm trying to find as many as possible.
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arglactable wrote:
Hell yes.
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Aserikoth wrote:
Cosmic Messenger <3
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chrisfrom56 wrote:
This is what a violin was made for, absolutely amazing !
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Snowflake70 wrote:
I will always, Always return home.
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reagan0 wrote:
Imaginary Voyage was the first JLP album in my collection, purchased when it was first released, and it's still my favorite.
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SagawaKemper wrote:
great stuff with zappa
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lottadogs wrote:
first heard him playing with Zappa, then a life long love
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Aserikoth wrote:
Amazing music
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vitantonio wrote:
innovative musician
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travelfever wrote:
awwwwww man
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Drazba wrote:
i love ponty but am disappointed that his old stuff has such limited access- i remember going into a record store, stoned, to get Upon the Wings of Music on a whim, when it first came out-1976?- loved it- then gave it to a belgian exchange student i knew- and listened to him up through the mid 80-s-still have his stuff on vinyl-all great -would love to hear it on last fm
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s2art1 wrote:
Have to say Cosmic Messenger is quite possibly my favourite ever jazz fusion record. It's just flawless
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scannervomit wrote:
My dad recommended this guy, said he was like Hendrix on the violin. I have to agree with him cause Ponty's solos rock my world. I know he's a jazz musician and all, but man he plays the hell out of that electric violin. Egocentric Molecules is flawless.
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OLdSKuul62 wrote:
Not to You. No.
Videos
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COMPUTER INCATATIONS FOR WORLD…
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Play
Jean Luc Ponty - rythms of hope
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Faith In You
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Events
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Aug
1
Zappanale #23
Galopprennbahn, Bad Doberan, Germany
3 going
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Aug
16
Nišville Jazz Festival 2012
Niška tvrdjava, Niš, Serbia
6 going
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Recent Activity
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alexrain90 added Jean-Luc Ponty to alexrain90’s library. yesterday evening
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sofa2 added Jean-Luc Ponty to the lineup of Zappanale #23 at Galopprennbahn. Monday evening
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mildz added Jean-Luc Ponty to the lineup of Nišville Jazz Festival 2012 at Niška tvrdjava. last month
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