It was a real shock to learn that Jack DeJohnette passed away. He was such an original, creative drummer and musician in modern jazz and a great man. We were both around 24 years old when we met at the Antibes Jazz Festival in France where I played with the HLP Trio and he played with American Saxophonist Charles Lloyd and a young pianist, unknown at the time, Keith Jarrett. Jack and Keith then came to a local club where I was playing and jammed with me but to my surprise they switched instruments, Keith playing drums and Jack on piano, they sounded great, amazing ! May Jack’s soul rest in peace.  

JLP

I am very sad to learn that the great American jazz pianist, composer Jim McNeely passed away recently. I enjoyed so much collaborating with him in 2012 for my performance with the HR Big Band in Frankfurt, Germany. Jim was conducting and did really great arrangements of my compositions, as you can see in the videos page of this website. One of my best musical experiences. May his soul rest in peace. 

JLP

Single from the album "Inventioning" by Michael Lewis

available on Bandcamp as an EP with 3 other songs here: https://inventioning.bandcamp.com/album/affirmation-ep

Jon Anderson, vocals

Jean Luc Ponty, violin

Michael Lewis, guitar, composer, producer

I am very sad that Lalo Schifrin passed away on June 26, 2025. He was first an excellent jazz pianist from Argentina then became one of Hollywood’s best and famous composers. He wrote soundtracks for TV series such as “Mission: Impossible” and movies such as “Dirty Harry” among others. He first invited me and George Duke in California in 1969 to perform a piece he had written for symphony orchestra and a jazz group. Then in 2000 he invited me and other guests to perform compositions he had written for a concert and the album “Esperanto” with the WDR Big Band in Germany. He was a great musician and a great person. I will miss him. May his soul rest in peace.

'The Atacama Experience’ has been remastered and is being reissued on May 9th, 2025 on vinyl for the first time and also on CD and digital. This is the last studio album which Jean Luc recorded with the international band he had through the early 2000s plus guest guitarists Philip Catherine and Allan Holdsworth. It was recorded in 2006 over a period of one year between tours starting in Chile and ending in India in early 2007. Here is the link for vinyls, CDs, downloading and streaming: https://MPS.lnk.to/TheAtacamaExperience