Colette Maze, a remarkable pianist at the age of 109, continues to captivate audiences with her enduring musical talent. Born in June 1914, her journey in music began when she responded to the piano playing of children in the flat above. Her mother, a violinist, and her grandfather, a musician, recognized her innate musicality. At 15, she enrolled at the prestigious École Normale de Musique, studying with influential teachers like Alfred Cortot, Georges Dandelot, Jeanne Blancard, and Nadia Boulanger.

Despite facing challenges, including strict parental restrictions on her practice time, Colette Maze became a music teacher. As a single mother, she navigated the difficulties of post-WW2 life. Her son, Fabrice, played a crucial role in persuading her to record music, preserving her legacy. Colette released her first album at 87, and her fifth album, “Un Siècle avec Debussy/A Century with Debussy,” in 2021. Remarkably, she is set to release her sixth album at the age of 109.

Colette Maze’s dedication to music is unwavering; she still plays the piano for four to five hours daily. Living in the same apartment since she was eighteen, overlooking the Seine, she owns two cherished pianos: a Steinway baby grand and a Pleyel, an 18th birthday gift and Frédéric Chopin’s favored piano brand.

In a recent interview, Colette Maze expressed, “Music is my food, my breath, my reason for being. As soon as I get up, I start playing the piano to connect with the forces of life. It’s a habit. It’s always been that way. The blood circulates in our body and music circulates in my being. It’s like essential nourishment.” Her son adds humorously that besides music, his mother can’t live without cheese, chocolate, and a good glass of wine.