PARIS, France (CelebrityAccess) — Didier Lockwood, the famed French jazz fusion violinist, died on February 18th, one day after a performance in Paris. He was 62 at the time of his death.
Lockwood’s passing was announced by his agent Christophe Deghelt via social media: “His wife, his three children, his family, his agent, his collaborators and his record company are sad to announce the sudden passing of Didier Lockwood in his 63rd year,” the statement said.
French newspaper Le Monde reported that Didier suffered a heart attack on Sunday, following a performance on Saturday night.
Lockwood’s eclectic career started in 1974 when he joined Christian Vander’s progressive rock/jazz fusion group Magma and he went on to become known for his use of amplification and experimentation with electric violins.
He would go on to a prolific recording career, releasing more than 20 albums over the years with the most recent, “Open Doors” hitting the shelves in November 2017.
Lockwood also opened a school in Dammarie-les-Lys, southeast of Paris, for teaching improvisation in music, which followed methods he developed himself.
In a tribute on Monday, French president Emmanuel Macron described Didier as a “friend and partner of the greatest” and said he possessed “influence, open-mindedness and immense musical talent.”
According to the New York Times, Didier is survived by his wife, French soprano Patricia Petibon, and three daughters.
