Isaiah J. Thompson, a distinguished jazz pianist and composer from West Orange, New Jersey, has rapidly ascended in the jazz world with his profound artistry and dedication. A Juilliard alumnus, Thompson has collaborated with luminaries such as Wynton Marsalis, Christian McBride, and John Pizzarelli. His recording debut on Jazz at Lincoln Center's "Handful of Keys" showcased his exceptional talent, leading to multiple releases as a bandleader. Accolades include the 2018 Lincoln Center Emerging Artist Award, second place in the 2018 Thelonious Monk Competition, and the 2023 American Pianists Awards' Cole Porter Fellowship in Jazz. In 2024, he joined Juilliard's jazz studies faculty, continuing to inspire through both performance and education. ([juilliard.edu](https://www.juilliard.edu/music-jazz/faculty/thompson-isaiah-j?utm_source=openai))