Jean Michel Pilc
Born on October 19, 1960 in Paris, France, Jean-Michel Pilc has been playing jazz piano since he was 10. Largely self-taught, he has emerged as one of the most well-known and well-respected European pianists, composers and arrangers.
Jean-Michel has played and recorded with fellow Europeans Martial Solal, Michel Portal, Daniel Humair, J-F. Jenny-Clarke, Aldo Romano, and Andre Ceccarelli, as well as American masters Roy Haynes and ex Jazz-Messenger Jean Toussaint.
An exciting performer, he has toured in more than forty countries and participated in more than a dozen recordings, as well as many film scores. His most recent European recording, "Big One", includes his original music for a thirteen-piece orchestra. His compositions have also been played throughout Europe and have been recorded by many of his contemporaries.
Jean-Michel's desire to expand his musical experience brought him to New York City in 1995. There, he resumed his activities, and formed a new trio with two other distinctive musicians, bassist Francois Moutin and drummer Ari Hoenig. In just a few years, the trio has acquired a brilliant reputation from their appearances in New York, the US and Europe.
In addition to his trio engagements, Jean-Michel Pilc gives solo piano recitals and teaches in clinics and master classes. As a sideman, he has recently played and recorded with: vocalists Elisabeth Kontomanou (her sextet album "Embrace" and duo album "Hands and Incantation" on Steeplechase) J-D Walter ("Sirens in the C-House" on Dreambox), bassist/vocalist Richard Bona ("Scenes from my life" on Sony/Columbia), and soprano saxist Sam Newsome’s new Palmetto release.
Jean-Michel's sideman credits include work with Michael Brecker, John Abercrombie, Harry Belafonte (as musical director and pianist), David Liebman, and Richard Bona. He received the prestigious Django Reinhardt Prize 2000 from the French Academy of Jazz, an honor bestowed upon the "best French jazz musician of the year."
