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Jean-Pierre BERTRAND (France)

Jean-Pierre Bertrand was born on 22.08.55 in Saint Germain en Laye, France. His parents were music amators especially fond of classical music and opera. He studied classical piano in the conservatory from the age of 7 to 14 and won the 1rst awards at a musical contest in 1968. It is not enough however to make him forget the intense emotion he felt once by listening to a Memphis Slim record in a music shop. He finally stops studying classic and leaves Chopin, Mozart and Bach to learn jazz piano. Truly fascinated by the rhythm and the atmosphere of Boogie Woogie tunes, he begins to explore the works of ail the piano players for several years : Sammy Price, Llyod Glenn, Montana Taylor, Jay Mc Shann, Pete Johnson, Albert Ammons, Jimmy Yancey... among many others. In 1977 he meets Jean Paul Amouroux, one of the greatest French Boogie Woogie piano players, who strengthens his convictions: He is going to work hard, with method, listening and listening again to the Boogie Woogie Masters, to find out by ear the ingredients of their style and to make them his own. From this time, his single aim will be to play in public. He begins with small gigs in piano bars at week ends... He sometimes replaces one missing pianist. In 1984, he opens a restaurant and jazz club "La Table d'Harrnonie" in Saint Germain des Prés, in the very center of Paris. While 4 years he invites many famous jazzmen and among the greatest : Memphis Slim, still remembering his first emotions. He will also make the French public meet Axel Zwingenberger, young Blues and Boogie Woogie pianist from Germany whose style will influence JPB a lot. JPB takes his inspiration from the roots of Blues and Boogie, famous tunes and classics. His favorite pianists are Albert Ammons, Pete Johnson and Jimmy Yancey. Thanks to his strong left hand that swing in his personal way, he plays music that allies a sustained beat as well as entertaining riffs. Tremolos, strong rhythmic basses make Boogie Woogie a 100% piano style. From 1989 he organizes "Les Nuits Jazz & Boogie" in Paris : a Festival which gathers most of the best traditional Jazz piano players and especially BW players- These successful concerts led him to his artistic carrier. Leaving the field of catering - his initial up-building - he becomes artistic director of a hotels group in 1990 and founds in September 1992 an "Event" Company called JPB MUSIC that aims at organizing concerts and shows as well as private events for companies for public relations for instance. From 1989, JPB is renowned as one of the best French BW pianists. He performs in Jazz Clubs, concerts, festivals in France and abroad and he is as well an entertainer for many private receptions organized for people or companies. He already played duet with Axel Zwingenberger, Ray Bryant, Little Willie Littlefield, Jean-Paul Amouroux and many others. Willing to make the public share his passion for piano, he made up several shows on different themes.

website : www.jpboogie.com

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