Jean-Luc Ponty

Jean-Luc Ponty (born September 29, 1942) is a versatile French violinist and jazz composer.

Related Topics:
September 29 - 1942 - French - Violinist - Jazz - Composer

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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.

Related Topics:
Avranches - Paris Conservatory - Miles Davis - John Coltrane

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He has worked with Stéphane Grappelli, the Mahavishnu Orchestra, Frank Zappa, and has appeared on over seventy recordings.

Related Topics:
Stéphane Grappelli - Mahavishnu Orchestra - Frank Zappa

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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.

Related Topics:
Electric violin - Violectra - MIDI - Synthesizer

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