A pianist influenced by a host of styles
Born in 1970 in the town of Huy in Belgium from a family of Italian immigrant artists, Eric Legnini started studying piano at the age of 6 and soon proved his talent. It is only a decade or so later that he developed a passion for jazz. At 18, he went to New York where he perfected his art with American pianist Richie Beirach. In that obsessed jazz city, he discovered and absorbed the styles of Kenny Krikland and especially Herbie Hancock. He had an opportunity to explore different and innovative jazz styles such as funk, soul and hip-hop, and then returned to Europe two years later, first to Belgium where, whilst teaching piano, he recorded his first album Never let me go with Belgian musician Jacques Pelzer. He later formed a trio group and performed throughout the world. Soon noticed by jazzman Aldo Romano, Eric Legnini became the official pianist for major names in music such as John Ruocco, Emmanuel Cissi and Philip Catherine, affirming his reputation as a first class
jazzman.
From obscurity to the limelight
After years of playing with leading musicians, Eric Legnini started working on his own albums. What propelled him to fame was his album Miss Soul the first of a three-part, very personal jazz opus. This was followed two years later by Big Bogaloo the result of an incredible meeting between Eric Legnini and the brilliant saxophonist Julien Lourau which blended two very personal styles into unexpected and astounding compositions. To complete this trilogy, in 2009 Eric Legnini released Trippin’ in reference to the US band Meters and their album Struttin’ mixing his own compositions and the style’s usual sounds. With his album The Vox in 2011, Eric Legnini continues to explore all aspects of soul-funk but now with vocals, with singer Krystle Warren in half the pieces on the album. In his show in Bangkok, he will play a selection from his various albums for a night of jazz and Afro beat!
The jazz concert will be staged at the auditorium of Alliance Francaise, Sathorn Tai Road. Tickets are THB 250 for students and members and THB 400 for public. The tickets can be purchased from Alliance Francaise’s library (closed on Monday).
For further information, please visit www.alliance-francaise.or.th or email [email protected] or telephone 02-670-4231.