Written by Tarisio, the world’s leading auction house for fine instruments, has announced a groundbreaking sale featuring a collection of electric violins that have defined the career of jazz violin pioneer Jean-Luc Ponty. This unprecedented auction, scheduled for October 2024 in Berlin, offers a unique opportunity for jazz enthusiasts and instrument collectors to own pieces of musical history.
Jean-Luc Ponty, widely regarded as the father of jazz violin, has been at the forefront of fusion and progressive jazz for over five decades. His innovative approach to the electric violin has expanded the boundaries of jazz and influenced generations of musicians.
The auction will showcase three of Ponty’s most iconic instruments:
1. The blue 5-string Barcus-Berry violin, prominently featured on his 1979 album “A Taste for Passion”
2. The red Barcus-Berry violin, played alongside Frank Zappa
3. A 5-string Jean-Luc Ponty edition Zeta violin
These instruments have been integral to Ponty’s groundbreaking recordings and electrifying live performances throughout his illustrious career. From his collaborations with Frank Zappa to solo masterpieces like “Enigmatic Ocean” and “Cosmic Messenger,” these violins have shaped the sound of modern jazz.
The blue 5-string Barcus-Berry violin, in particular, holds a special place in jazz history. As one of the first 5-string electric violins, it allowed Ponty to expand his tonal range and explore new musical territories. Its striking blue color made it visually memorable, and it became Ponty’s primary instrument for performances and recordings throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Ponty’s journey with electric violins began in the early 1960s when he used a De Armond pickup and an Ampeg Gemini 1 guitar tube amp to amplify his acoustic violin. He was among the first to adopt a 5-string electric violin with a low C string in 1977, significantly expanding his tonal possibilities. Throughout his career, Ponty continued to innovate, using prototype instruments, MIDI violins, and various custom models.
Born in 1942 in Avranches, France, Ponty began his musical journey at age five. He quickly rose to prominence, winning the Premier Prix at the Conservatoire de Paris in 1960. By the late 1960s, Ponty had made his mark in the American jazz scene, performing at the Monterey Jazz Festival and collaborating with renowned artists like Frank Zappa and the Mahavishnu Orchestra.
This auction represents the first time these instruments have been offered for sale, coming directly from Jean-Luc Ponty himself. It’s a rare opportunity for collectors and musicians to own a piece of jazz history and continue the legacy of one of the genre’s most innovative artists.
You can view the promo video teaser here. More information can be found at the Tarisio website.
Last modified: September 12, 2024
