Biography
Isaiah J. Thompson, born on April 29, 1997, in West Orange, New Jersey, began studying piano at an early age with teachers Alla Epelbaum at the Calderone School of Music and Bob Mikula, later immersing himself in jazz through programs like Jazz House Kids, NJPAC Jazz for Teens, and Jazz at Lincoln Center.[1][2][3] He attended Montclair Kimberley Academy before gaining admission to The Juilliard School at 18, where he earned both his Bachelor's (2019) and Master's (2020) degrees in Music, and later pursued Christian Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary.[1][2][4] His career took off early, with a recording debut on the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra's Handful of Keys (2017) featuring Wynton Marsalis while still a student, followed by performances at Carnegie Hall playing Duke Ellington's sacred music as part of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Youth Orchestra.[1][2][4]
Thompson's style blends traditional jazz influences with personal expression rooted in spirituality, evident in albums like Plays the Music of Buddy Montgomery (2020), Composed in Color (2021), The Power of the Spirit (2023), A Guaraldi Holiday (2023), and The Book of Isaiah: Modern Jazz Ministry (2025).[1][2] He joined the John Pizzarelli Trio in 2019 and has collaborated with luminaries including Christian McBride, Steve Turre, Ron Carter, Joe Farnsworth, Buster Williams, and Catherine Russell, while contributing to the Golden Globe-nominated Motherless Brooklyn soundtrack (2019).[1][2][3] A Steinway Artist, Thompson overcame severe tendonitis that threatened his career, leading to a deepened Christian faith that now informs his music's themes of spirit and individuality.[2][4]
His accolades include National YoungArts jazz piano winner, Essentially Ellington and Charles Mingus competition awards, the 2016 Horace Parlan Talent Award, 2018 Lincoln Center Emerging Artist Award and second place in the Thelonious Monk Competition, and the 2023 American Pianists Awards with Cole Porter Fellowship in Jazz; in 2024, he joined Juilliard's Jazz Studies Faculty, marking his rising legacy as a pianist, composer, and educator.[1][2][5]
Fun Facts
- As a high school student in 2014, Thompson performed Duke Ellington's sacred music at Carnegie Hall with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Youth Orchestra, a 300-piece choir, Jimmy Heath, and Lalah Hathaway, describing it as 'absolutely terrifying but rewarding.'[4]
- Severe tendonitis limited him to playing only 10-15 minutes at a time for years, prompting a career crisis that led him to deepen his Christian faith and redefine his identity beyond music.[4]
- He contributed to the Golden Globe-nominated soundtrack for the film Motherless Brooklyn (2019).[1][2]
- Thompson released The Book of Isaiah: Modern Jazz Ministry in 2025 on Mack Avenue Records, featuring South African vocalist Vuyo Sotashe on spiritually themed tracks like 'The Lord’s Prayer.'[1][4]
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Alla Epelbaum - Early piano teacher (Initial studies at Calderone School of Music) [Childhood]
- Bob Mikula - Early piano teacher (Early training) [Childhood]
- Jazz House Kids / NJPAC Jazz for Teens / Jazz at Lincoln Center - Youth jazz programs and influences (Formative jazz education) [Pre-Juilliard]
Key Collaborators
- Wynton Marsalis / Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra - Recording debut and performances (Handful of Keys (2017)) [2014-2017]
- John Pizzarelli - Trio member (John Pizzarelli Trio, Stage & Screen (2023)) [2019-present]
- Christian McBride - Performance collaborator (Live performances) [Ongoing]
- Steve Turre - Performance and recording collaborator (Generations (2022)) [Ongoing]
- Ron Carter - Performance collaborator (Live performances) [Ongoing]
- Buster Williams - Performance collaborator (Live performances) [Ongoing]
Artists Influenced
- Students at Juilliard - Faculty member inspiring next generation (Jazz Studies Faculty) [2024-present]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Composed in Color | 2021-10-29 | Album |
| The Book of Isaiah: Modern Jazz Ministry | 2025-06-06 | Album |
| The Power of the Spirit | 2023-03-17 | Album |
| A Guaraldi Holiday | 2023-12-01 | Album |
| Plays the Music of Buddy Montgomery | 2020-09-18 | Album |
| The K-Seoul Sessions | 2025-11-07 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Daily Battles (feat. Joe Farnsworth, Russell Hall, Isaiah J. Thompson & Jerry Weldon) - Jazz Arrangement (Daily Battles (From Motherless Brooklyn: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack))
- Woman In Blue (feat. Willie Jones III, Philip Norris, Isaiah J. Thompson, Ted Nash, & Daniel Pemberton)
- Motherless Brooklyn Theme (feat. Willie Jones III, Philip Norris, Isaiah J. Thompson, Ted Nash, & Daniel Pemberton)
- Hi-Fly (Composed in Color)
- Daily Battles (feat. Joe Farnsworth, Russell Hall, Isaiah J. Thompson & Jerry Weldon) - Jazz Arrangement
- Blues Walk (feat. Joe Farnsworth, Russell Hall, Isaiah J. Thompson & Jerry Weldon)
- Jump Monk (feat. Joe Farnsworth, Russell Hall, Isaiah J. Thompson & Jerry Weldon)
- Hymn to Freedom (Handful of Keys)
- Delilah (feat. Joe Farnsworth, Russell Hall, Isaiah J. Thompson & Jerry Weldon)
- Woman In Blue (feat. Wynton Marsalis, Willie Jones III, Philip Norris, Isaiah J. Thompson, Ted Nash) - End Credits (Motherless Brooklyn (Original Motion Picture Score))
External Links
Tags: #contemporary-jazz, #jazz, #post-bop
References
Heard on WWOZ
Isaiah J. Thompson has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 19, 2025 | 08:21 | Linus and Lucyfrom A Guaraldi Holiday (Outside In Music) | The Morning Setw/ Dave Dauterive |