Eric Sammut

Eric was born in Toulouse, France, where he studied piano and percussion and became known for his musical abilities at an early age. His varied musical experiences have led him to appreciate music of all genres, from Bach and Mozart to jazz and rock. After his studies at the Conservatoire supérieur de musique de Lyon he became the First Percussionist at l’Opera de Lyon. His passion for the marimba emerged during this period, as he found a new musical and technical approach to the instrument. In 1995 he won the Leigh Howard Stevens International Marimba Competition and toured the USA, performing concerts and conducting masterclasses. Since then he has given recitals in France, Europe, and Asia, as well as the USA, gaining recognition as an international artist. He now serves as Principal Percussionist of the Orchestre de Paris and teaches marimba at the Conservatoire de Paris. Specializing in the art of improvisation, his scope of musical interactions ranges from Bach to Cole Porter and from Prokofiev to Edith Piaf. Sammut has also become one of the foremost composers of music for the marimba and actively promotes the instrument throughout France and all of Europe.