Home » Jazz Musicians » Jacky Terrasson

Jacky Terrasson

Jacky Terrasson, winner of the distinctive Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition and two time Grammy nominee, was acclaimed by The New York Times Magazine as “one of 30 artists under the age of 30 most likely to make an impact on American culture in the next 30 years.” Since his 1994 Blue Note debut, Jacky Terrasson, he has earned phenomenal worldwide response, ranking among Time magazine’s Top Albums of 1995 and establishing him as a creator of new standards.

Los Angeles Times heralds Jacky as “a pianist with a shining improvisational imagination, Terrasson seems clearly determined to follow his own path.” That path has criss-crossed the Atlantic from his native France where at age 12 he discovered his mother’s jazz collection, inspiring him to depart classical piano for the “freedom of expression in improvisation”. While studying at the prestigious Lycee Lamartine Jacky became a protégé of Francis Paudras, whose experiences with Bud Powell became the basis for the film ‘Round Midnight and who encouraged him to attend Berklee College of Music in Boston. A year at the famed conservatory introduced Jacky to Javon Jackson who years later invited the pianist to perform on his Blue Note debut, produced by Betty Carter. In quick succession, Carter hired Jacky as her pianist, his first gig with her coming the day after he won the Monk Competition which itself spawned a bidding war for a major recording contract, landing him on Blue Note. Blending elegance and exuberance with improvisational mastery, Jacky recorded two more projects (Reach, Alive) with his trio of Ugonna Okegwo and Leon Parker forming one of the most distinctive sounds of modern jazz. New York’s Newsday was prompted to declare “It is hard to think of another trio that creates as much high drama.”

In 2007 Jacky will release his first solo piano recording which offers several new compositions along with his trademark inside-out arrangements of a few standards and a musical nod to his French-American heritage. His previous eight CDs, all on Blue Note include the 2001 Grammy nominated Kindred with vibist Stefon Harris, his acclaimed collection of French favorites, À Paris, and the2002 follow up Smile, ranked Top Ten Best Album by the International Herald Tribune. Terrasson received a second Grammy nod for his work with Emmanuel Pahud on Into The Blue (2004).

A celebrated artist in both the U.S. and France, Jacky won Best Jazz Artist of the Year (Prix Django Reihnardt , Academie de Jazzº, Best Jazz Album of the Year for Smile (Victoire de Jazz) and two Django d’Or awards for Best Jazz Album and Best Artist, all in 2003.

Read more

Tags

1
Radio & Podcasts

Leo Parker & Theo Bleckmann

Read "Leo Parker & Theo Bleckmann" reviewed by Joe Dimino


Episode 676 of Neon Jazz is full of modern musicians that continue to give the world quality jazz during a pandemic. It starts with Jacky Terrasson and moves on into the trio known as The Lost Melody. We also hear from singers Theo Bleckmann and the legendary Sheila Jordan. Enjoy the jazz.Playlist Jacky Terrasson Jazz Trio “Broadway" Lover Man (Blue Note) 00:00 Host talks 6:12 Leon Parker “Tokyo" Awakening (Columbia) 8:17 The Lost Melody “Leaving Montserrat" New Songs ...

1
In Pictures

Ai confini tra Sardegna e Jazz festival 2020

Read "Ai confini tra Sardegna e Jazz festival 2020" reviewed by Danilo Codazzi


Photos from the Jacky Terrasson Trio “53" concert during the Ai confini tra Sardegna e Jazz festival on September 4th in Sant'Anna Arresi, Italy. ...

7
Live Review

Buenos Aires International Jazz Festival 2017

Read "Buenos Aires International Jazz Festival 2017" reviewed by Mark Holston


Buenos Aires International Jazz Festival Buenos Aires, Argentina November 15-20, 2017 Mid November in Buenos Aires is a special time of the year. True to the meaning of the city's name, the air is crisp and fresh and blossoming jacaranda trees bathe the greater metropolitan area in a dazzling shower of purple hues. And, for lovers of jazz in all its forms, the annual Buenos Aires International Jazz Festival stages an extravagant six-day program of concerts, ...

447
Old, New, Borrowed and Blue

Taken with Terrasson

Read "Taken with Terrasson" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky


While reading reviews about the 2010 Winter Jazzfest in New York City, I experienced a sensory overload, despite the fact that I hadn't even been in attendance. The list of musicians that performed at the event seemed too good to be true, as did many of the reviews, so I vowed to check it out for myself when the event rolled around again in January of 2011. When the festival dates were announced, I bought my tickets ...

377
Album Review

Jacky Terrasson: Push

Read "Push" reviewed by Glenn Astarita


There's no lack of variety on pianist Jacky Terrasson's debut for Concord Records. With his trio and special guests, Terrasson generates a multihued program, featuring jazz-funk, spunky bop and cleverly envisioned ballads, such as Thelonious Monk's timeless classic, “Ruby My Dear." On this piece, Terrasson and harmonica ace Gregoire Maret share the lead via sweet-toned passages and a capacious backdrop that elicits imagery of a sultry breeze. The soloists caress and rephrase the familiar theme into a ...

258
Album Review

Jacky Terrasson: Push

Read "Push" reviewed by George Kanzler


Since winning the Thelonious Monk Piano Competition 17 years ago, Jacky Terrasson has ranged far and wide from his original, striking early trio (with minimalist drummer/percussionist Leon Parker), exploring formats from solo and various duos to larger ensembles. For this, his first album for a new label, he returns with a new trio, featuring recent Monk Competition-winning bassist Ben Williams and drummer Jamire Williams, augmented by guests. While Terrasson has been likened to Keith Jarrett and Herbie Hancock, ...

306
Album Review

Jacky Terrasson: Push

Read "Push" reviewed by Raul d'Gama Rose


There are three qualities about pianist Jacky Terrasson's music that make it irresistible and riveting. The first is that it dances interminably. Secondly, it is jagged and angular--an epithet often used to describe the music of Thelonious Monk and which suits Terrasson well as, even with his singularly distinctive voice, he is genealogically connected. Finally, Terrasson has a penchant for a playful, almost puckish, interpretation, where humor is implicit. As such he negotiates all melodies, even those that are contemplative, ...

Read more articles
1

Performance / Tour

World-Renowned Smoke Jazz Club Announces October Line-up Including The Goldings/Bernstein/Stewart Trio, Pianist Jacky Terrasson, Trombonist Steve Davis, Saxophonist Melissa Aldana, And More

World-Renowned Smoke  Jazz Club Announces October Line-up Including The Goldings/Bernstein/Stewart Trio, Pianist Jacky Terrasson, Trombonist Steve Davis, Saxophonist Melissa Aldana, And More

Source: AMT Public Relations

Rated the #1 Jazz Club in New York City (Secret NYC), Smoke Jazz Club welcomes a few of today’s leading Trios to the stage in October. For the first time in 30 years, the Goldings/Bernstein/Stewart Trio returns to SMOKE for a highly-anticipated, long overdue, four-night run (Oct 12-15). Pianist Jacky Terrasson makes a rare New York City appearance with his exciting trio with bassist Kenny Davis and drummer Alvester Garnett (Oct 19-22). The month ends with the master trombonist Steve ...

1

Recording

Jacky Terrasson Set To Make His Impulse! Label Debut With February 24 Release Of "Take This"

Jacky Terrasson Set To Make His Impulse! Label Debut With February 24 Release Of "Take This"

Source: Michael Ricci

ACCLAIMED PIANIST TO CELEBRATE WITH SHOWS MARCH 13-15 AT DIZZY’S CLUB COCA-COLA AT JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER IN NYC Pianist/composer Jacky Terrasson makes his Impulse! label debut with the February 24, 2015 release of Take This, a sparkling new album that captures the quintessence of his multifaceted musical makeup, which draws upon modern post-bop, pop, hip-hop, European classical, and African and Afro-Caribbean rhythms and melodies. Terrasson will celebrate with release event performances at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola at Jazz Lincoln Center ...

127

Recording

Jacky Terrasson - Mirror (2007)

Jacky Terrasson - Mirror (2007)

Source: Something Else!

By Mark Saleski How many times have you heard somebody say that they were never able to get into jazz because “I don't understand it?" Maybe you are that person? Well, I want to let you in on a little secret: There is no right answer. Yes, you read that right. It's very much like those daunting questions in high school literature class..."In this story, the mountains are symbolic of what?" Technically, there is a correct answer, but that doesn't ...

183

Performance / Tour

Jacky Terrasson Trio's Masterful Live Performance at KPLU

Jacky Terrasson Trio's Masterful Live Performance at KPLU

Source: Groove Notes

This studio session marks the first visit from pianist, Jacky Terrasson, to the KPLU/Jazz24 studios. We hope it's the first of many.

In a stunning three-song set, Jacky left no doubt that his group is one of the most exciting piano trios in jazz today.

AUDIO

With bassist Ben Williams (winner of the annual Thelonious Monk International Competition in 2009) and mind-reading drummer, Jamire Willams, Terrasson took interviewer, Abe Beeson, and a small studio audience on a musical journey that ...

58

Contest

JazzPianoOnline.com Holiday CD Giveaway

JazzPianoOnline.com Holiday CD Giveaway

Source: Bill Rinehart


271

Radio

Jacky Terrasson, Jeremy Davenport To Perform In Jazz.FM 91’s 2010-2011 Sound Of Jazz Concert Series

Source: Jessie Frohman

Toronto, Ontario (August 25th, 2010)—JAZZ.FM 91's 2010-2011 Sound of Jazz Concert Series returns! The 35th season features 10 special concerts, September 2010 through March 2011, at The Old Mill Inn, Toronto. The season gets underway with two-time Grammy nominee Jacky Terrasson, who burst onto the jazz scene in 1993 after winning the Thelonious Monk Piano Competition. Berlin-born, Paris-raised and New York-based, our Sound of Jazz Concert Series stage is the next stop for this international master of the keys. Trumpeter ...

479

Recording

Pianist Jacky Terrasson to Releases Concord Jazz Debut, "Push"

Pianist Jacky Terrasson to Releases Concord Jazz Debut, "Push"

Source: Universal Music Group

Concord Jazz proudly announces the release of pianist Jacky Terrasson's new album Push, available April 27, 2010. The album features a new working trio that includes recent Thelonious Monk Competition winner Ben Williams on bass, Jamire Williams on drums and a handful of special guests. Push, Terrasson's 11th overall album and Concord Jazz debut, moves forward with a program of invigorating new repertoire and standards that infuse the familiar with the unlikely, including nods to Michael Jackson. Ever since pianist ...

227

Recording

One Track Mind: Jacky Terrasson "Beat It/Body and Soul" (2010)

One Track Mind: Jacky Terrasson "Beat It/Body and Soul" (2010)

Source: Something Else!

By PicoHe looks like a young Keith Jarrett, even hums along to his piano lines a little like Jarrett, but Jacky Terrasson is defying straight comparisons to anybody. This 1993 winner of the Thelonious Monk competition can conjure the big, train-like sound of McCoy Tyner, the cerebral presence of Brad Mehldau or the spiritual elegance of Abdullah Ibrahim, but not sounding quite like any of them. Sometimes he'll show all these sides in the same song. The Berlin-born ...

133

Performance / Tour

Jazz This Week: Jacky Terrasson, Manhattan Transfer, the Final Week for Cookie's, and More

Jazz This Week: Jacky Terrasson, Manhattan Transfer, the Final Week for Cookie's, and More

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

The week before Christmas is a busy one for many people, but if you've got the time, and are willing to brave the colder-than-usual weather, there's definitely some music worth hearing around St. Louis over the next few days, starting with the two well-known touring jazz headliners who will be in town this weekend.First up, there's pianist Jacky Terrasson (pictured), who opens a four-night stand tonight at Jazz at the Bistro and continues through Saturday. You can find ...

179

Video / DVD

STLJN Saturday Video Showcase: Jacky Terrasson Plays "Caravan," "NY Slick," and "Les Chemins de L'amour"

STLJN Saturday Video Showcase: Jacky Terrasson Plays "Caravan," "NY Slick," and "Les Chemins de L'amour"

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

This week, we turn the video spotlight on pianist Jacky Terrasson, who will be in St. Louis next week to perform Wednesday, December 17 through Saturday, December 20 at Jazz at the Bistro. Terrasson, 42, was born in Germany to an American and French father. He studied at Berklee College of Music, and first gained wide public attention as the winner of the 1993 Thelonious Monk Piano Competition. He worked ...

Photos

Concerts

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

53

Blue Note Records
2019

buy

Push

Concord Music Group
2010

buy

Mirror

Blue Note Records
2007

buy

Smile

Blue Note Records
2003

buy

Smile

Concord Jazz
2002

buy

A Paris...

Concord Jazz
2000

buy

Videos

Similar

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.