Jacques Thollot

French percussionist and electronic music pioneer Jacques Thollot emerged as a creative force in experimental jazz and electronic music production. Beginning his career in the early 1960s with pianist Jef Gilson’s group, Thollot explored free jazz before expanding into electronic territories. His landmark 1971 solo album *Quand Le Son Devient Aigu, Jeter La Girafe À La Mer* established him as one of the earliest adopters of electronic music production techniques, utilizing innovative re-recording methods that presaged contemporary experimental production.

Throughout his career, Thollot collaborated with influential figures in avant-garde music, including saxophonist Don Cherry’s New York Total Music Company, and later worked extensively with guitarist Noël Akchoté from 1996 onward. His later work included the 1993 trio project *A Winter’s Tale* with pianist Tony Hymas and bassist Jean-François Jenny-Clark, showcasing his continued evolution as a musician. Thollot’s contributions bridged jazz, free improvisation, and electronic music, positioning him as a significant figure in European experimental music circles.