World-renowned French pianist and composer Martial Solal died on December 12 in Versailles at the age of 97.
The French newspaper Le Figaro first reported the jazz artist's death.
During his more than 70-year career, Solal made dozens of albums. He recorded with saxophonist and clarinetist Sidney Bechet and saxophonist and flutist Dave Liebman. The trailblazer also collaborated with drummer Paul Motian and bassist Gary Peacock.
Solal was the most famous jazz musician in France from the 1950s onwards, and widely known across Europe and the U.S.
His breakthrough came when he wrote the score for Jean-Luc Godard's 1960 film A Bout de Souffle (Breathless).
Critic Kevin Whitehead told NPR's "Fresh Air" in 2018 that Solal combined serious improvising with a playful and unpredictable attitude. He say Solal pulled listeners along "like a great storyteller."
