Although he is known primarily for his French television broadcasts in which he uses his special communication skills to educate the viewer in the understanding of classical music, the composer and pianist Jean-François Zygel is also an accomplished improviser. He here performs a collection of these improvisations which cross the boundaries between classical music, (the spectre of Debussy hangs over many of the pieces), and jazz.

He regularly performs improvisation concerts for silent film, theatre or dance (Châtelet Theatre, Forum des Images, Bastille Opera, Avignon Festival, Lyon Auditorium, Louvre Museum, Orsay Museum…) as well as for radio (France Musique) and television (Mezzo, France 2). Each month, accompanied by the Radio France Philharmonic Orchestra, he introduces the works of the musical greats to a young audience at Pleyel Hall and Radio France Auditorium. He is also in charge of a weekly live public broadcast, « The classical Cabaret of Jean-François Zygel », aired by France Musique on Sundays. In 2006 he created a TV-show called « The music box of Jean-François Zygel » for France 2 and Mezzo which is dedicated to great composers.

Jean-François Zygel teaches writing and improvisation at the Paris Conservatoire. In 2006, he received a Classical Music Award. His records and DVDs are published by Naïve.