A gifted Belgian jazz pianist, Eric Legnini pursues improvisation with deep roots in post-bop and soul-jazz while also venturing into electronic textures, hip-hop, Afro-funk, and R&B. Born in Huy, Belgium in 1970 to an artistically inclined family that had emigrated from Italy, he grew up with a father who played guitar part-time and a mother who sang and taught at a local conservatory. Around age six he began classical piano studies, yet in his teens he discovered jazz through the recordings of Erroll Garner, taught himself to improvise, and started his own band. In 1987, at a jazz club, famed Belgian jazz saxophonist Jacques Pelzer heard him and invited him into the band; during that association Legnini cut his solo debut Essentiels and contributed to Pelzer’s well-regarded album Never Let Me Go.
In 1988 he paused his career to move to New York for further jazz study, taking lessons with pianist Richie Beirach at Long Island University and spending nights in clubs where he gained practical experience alongside Kenny Kirkland, Ravi Coltrane, Vincent Herring, and others. That period also fostered an interest in forward-thinking post-bop and free jazz alongside a lasting appreciation for hip-hop and rap. Returning to Belgium in 1990, Legnini joined the faculty of the Royal Conservatory of Brussels as professor of jazz piano and became a member of harmonica legend Toots Thielemans’ band, touring extensively for several years. In 1995 he issued his third solo album, Rhythm Sphere, which featured saxophonist Joe Lovano, bassist Philippe Aerts, and drummer Felix Simtaine. Throughout the 1990s he also maintained a close partnership with saxophonist Stefano di Battista and trumpeter Flavio Boltro, recording such albums as 1998’s Volare and 1999’s Roadrunner.
In subsequent years he remained active, dividing time between Paris and numerous studio sessions with artists including Paco Sery, Claude Nougaro, Maidi Roth, and Didier Lockwood. In 2006 he released his fifth studio album, the 1960s soul-jazz-inflected Miss Soul, and was named France’s Musician of the Year with the Gold Django award. A year later came the funk-oriented Big Boogaloo, followed in 2009 by Trippin’. He then assembled his Afro Jazz Beat ensemble and issued the widely praised 2011 album The Vox, which earned a Victoires du Jazz nomination for Instrumental Album of the Year. Legnini reverted to a more straight-ahead approach for the aptly titled 2012 release Ballads and quickly followed with another Afro Jazz Beat project, 2013’s Sing Twice! Around the same time he appeared on recordings with Paris Jazz Big Band, Anggun, and Kellylee Evans. In 2017 he delivered the stylistically broad Waxx Up, steeped in funk, soul, and R&B and featuring guest contributions from Michelle Willis, Yael Naim, Ibrahim Maalouf, and others.
