Jean-Pierre Louis Rampal (7 January 1922 – 20 May 2000) was a French flautist. He has been personally “credited with returning to the flute the popularity as a solo classical instrument it had not held since the 18th century.”

1922.01.07: Son of the professor for flute in Marseille, a student of Hennebains, born in Marseille

1934: First flute playing.

1938: First price of the Marseille conservatory, playing the Ballade by Perilhou.

1939: Second flutist in the orchestra of Marseille beside his father. Course of studies in medicine.

1941: State examination in physics, chemistry and biology.

1943: Entrance examination at the conservatory during war. The aim was not to be sent to Germany for fatigue duty. Acceptance for the class of Crunelle.

1944: First price of the conservatory for playing Chant de Linos by Jolivet, in October returning to studying medicine in Marseille.

1945: Co-founder of the Quintette a vent francais.

1946: Solo flutist of the Vichy Orchestra.

1947.06.07: Marriage with Francoise.

1948: Birth of daughter Isabelle.

1949.02.09: Breakthrough at a concert in Paris. Shortly afterwards move to Paris and first flutist at the opera.

1950.02.19: Plays the premiere of the Flute Concerto by Jolivet conducted by the composer himself. In parallel touring with colleagues from the orchestra, building the Quintette a Vent Francaise and soloist of the chamber orchestra of Louis Froment.

1952: Foundatin of the Ensemble Baroque de Paris

1953: Start of world wide concerts through the engagement of the agent Annie de Valmalete and founding of the Ensemble baroque de Paris.

1955.12.07: Plays a concert in Rome, including the Flute Concertos by Haydn and Leclair.

1956: Solo flutist of the opera of Paris.

1958: First big tour through America.

1962: Exclusively playing as a soloist.

1969: Concert at Carnegie hall New York and following his teacher Gaston Crunelle as flute professor at Paris conservatory.

2000.05.20: Dies of a heart disease in Paris.

Rampal was all his life searching for old works for the flute. Contemporary composers like Poulenc or Jolivet dedicated their works to him.

The city of Paris dedicated a new flute competition to him. His art of flute playing led to the actual enthusiasm for the flute.