Famous French Jazz Musicians

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 1 
Django Reinhardt
4
Birthdate: January 23, 1910
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Liberchies, Belgium
Died: May 16, 1953
Belgian-born Romani-French jazz musician Jean Reinhardt was better known by his nickname Django. Some of his most celebrated composition were Belleville and Swing '42. Though he died at 43, he influenced an entire generation of musicians, which led to annual Django Festivals, a film, and a biography.
 2 
Jean-Luc Ponty
(Jazz violinist and composer)
Jean-Luc Ponty
3
Birthdate: September 29, 1942
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Avranches, France
 3 
Stéphane Grappelli
(French Jazz Violinist)
Stéphane Grappelli
3
Birthdate: January 26, 1908
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Paris, France
Died: December 1, 1997

Stéphane Grappelli was a French-Italian violinist best remembered as the co-founder of a jazz group named The Quintette du Hot Club de France. The group became famous for being one of the first jazz bands to house only string instruments. Nicknamed the grandfather of jazz violinists, Stéphane Grappelli went on to play in concerts well into his 80s.

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 4 
Michel Petrucciani
(One of the Most Accomplished Jazz Pianists of His Generation)
Michel Petrucciani
2
Birthdate: December 28, 1962
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Orange, France
Died: January 6, 1999

Michel Petrucciani was a French jazz pianist who was born with a condition called osteogenesis imperfecta which affected his physical growth. In spite of his health condition, Petrucciani went on to become one of the most successful jazz pianists of his generation. Interestingly, the genetic disease contributed greatly to his playing style as well as his personality.

 5 
Darius Milhaud
(French Composer, Conductor and a Member of the Group 'Les Six')
Darius Milhaud
2
Birthdate: September 4, 1892
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Marseille, France
Died: June 22, 1974

Darius Milhaud was a French composer, teacher, and conductor. One of the 20th century's most prolific composers, Milhaud was part of a famous group known as The Group of Six. He also contributed greatly to the French film industry, composing music for films like Madame Bovary and The Beloved Vagabond. Milhaud is often counted among the most important modernist composers. 

 6 
Ibrahim Maalouf
(Jazz Trumpeter & Composer Known for His Work in the Classical, Jazz, and Jazz-Rock Fusion Genres)
Ibrahim Maalouf
2
Birthdate: November 5, 1980
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Beirut, Lebanon

Ibrahim Maalouf is a French-Lebanese composer and jazz trumpeter. In addition to his many studio albums, Maalouf is also known for his contribution as a composer for many movie soundtracks and symphonic orchestras. In 2014, he was honored at the French Music Awards with the prestigious Best World Music Artist award.

 7 
Chico Bouchikhi
(Musician)
Chico Bouchikhi
1
Birthdate: October 13, 1954
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Arles, France
 8 
Claude Nougaro
(Songwriter)
Claude Nougaro
1
Birthdate: September 9, 1929
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Toulouse, France
Died: March 4, 2004
 9 
Richard Galliano
(Accordionist)
Richard Galliano
1
Birthdate: December 12, 1950
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Cannes, France
 10 
Louiguy
(Musician)
Louiguy
1
Birthdate: April 3, 1916
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Barcelona, Spain
Died: April 4, 1991
 11 
Jacques Pellen
(Jazz guitarist)
Jacques Pellen
0
Birthdate: April 9, 1957
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Brest, France
Died: April 21, 2020