Eddy Louiss – Conference De Presse

For nearly 35 years, Eddy Louiss has followed a highly personal musical path, always with his own group and, with the possible exception of Stan Getz, without any real collaboration with other jazz greats.So when, on the evening of August 17, 1988, André Damon came up with the idea of programming a duo with Michel Petrucciani, the results exceeded his expectations. The meeting of these two great artists took place at the Petit Journal Montparnasse: sweltering heat, a packed room, and nearly 300 people left outside the door, disappointed at not being able to attend the concert.Francis Dreyfus and I became obsessed with recreating this extraordinary musical experience. Michel Petrucciani, constantly touring the globe, was rarely available. In July '93, Michel and Eddy found themselves face to face again at the Montreux Festival for a Dreyfus Night, in a sumptuous Summertime where the obvious complicity between these two great artists was already bursting forth.The long-awaited reunion finally took place on May 31, 1994, at the Maison de la Radio, before an attentive audience of friends, musicians, artists, and journalists from all the specialized media. After a warm and, oh, how enthusiastic welcome from all attendees, Eddy and Michel wished to preserve a recorded trace of their collaboration, which was captured over three magical evenings at the Petit Journal Montparnasse on June 14, 15, and 16, 1994.