France Link

Celebrated French jazz violinist Didier Lockwood dies aged 62

Didier Lockwood, whose talent was first discovered by the late Stephane Grappelli and who established a worldwide reputation over four decades as a jazz violinist, and who was dedicated to developing music teaching, creating a school of musical improvisation near Paris, has died of a heart attack just hours after performing at a jazz venue in the French capital.

La rédaction de Mediapart

This article is freely available.

Noted French jazz violinist Didier Lockwood, a disciple of the late Stephane Grappelli, died of a heart attack early Sunday, his agent said, reports Gulf News.

Lockwood, who performed at Paris jazz venue Bal Blomet on Saturday, had turned 62 on February 11th.

“His wife, his three daughters, his family, his agent, his co-workers and his record label are sad to announce the sudden passing of Didier Lockwood,” his agent said in a statement.

Lockwood was playing at a jazz festival when he met Grappelli, who invited the then 20-year-old to join him on a European tour.

“That was the start of my career, the launchpad that got me into the world of popular jazz,” Lockwood told Radio France in 2008.

Read more of this AFP report published by Gulf News.