Background
Born in Épinal, France, Peiffer was raised within a musical family, with his father and uncle playing the violin and the organ, respectively.
Born in Épinal, France, Peiffer was raised within a musical family, with his father and uncle playing the violin and the organ, respectively.
Starting piano at age nine, he studied under Pierre Maire, a student of Nadia Boulanger, and quickly demonstrated his brilliance by being able to play back long sections of classical music by ear.
His nickname was "Le Most", for his piano skills. After winning the 1st Prize in Piano at the Paris Conservatory, Peiffer began his professional career at the age of twenty, playing with Andre Ekyan and Django Reinhardt. During World World War II, he joined the French resistance after he witnessed the execution of a friend by the Gestapo in the streets of Paris.
Soon afterwards he was captured, and was incarcerated for over a year.
He recorded for the EmArcy, Decca and Laurie labels. During this time, critic Leonard Feather compared his playing with that of Art Tatum.
Peiffer released his last commercial album in 1965 and, after having kidney surgery a few years later, restricted himself to performing and teaching, mainly in Philadelphia. His students included Uri Caine, Sumi Tonooka, Tom Lawton, and Don Glanden.
His last major appearance was at the 1974 New York/Newport Festival at Carnegie Hall.
He died on 7 September 1976, aged 53.