Ted Rosenthal is one of the leading jazz pianists/composers of his generation. First-prize winner of the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition, Rosenthal has performed worldwide, both as a leader and as a sideman with many jazz greats, including Gerry Mulligan, Art Farmer, Phil Woods, Bob Brookmeyer, James Moody, and Jon Faddis. Rosenthal also has released 11 CDs as a leader, which include his original compositions as well as new treatments and "derangements" of great American standards, jazz tunes and classical themes.
A recipient of three grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, Rosenthal composes large-scale works as well as jazz tunes. His recent composition, Theme, Moods and Angles, a work for chamber jazz ensemble, received its premiere at the Manhattan School of Music in November 2007. It has also been performed in a quintet version for 4 performances with the Sherman (CT) Chamber Ensemble. He collaborated with dancer/choreographer Nilas Martins for “SwingFlight,” performed in NYC in April, 2008. Another of Rosenthal’s full length compositions, The Survivor, is a concerto for piano and orchestra that combines written and improvised sections for the soloist. The Survivor has been performed by Rosenthal with the Rockland Symphony and with the Manhattan Jazz Philharmonic.
Rosenthal’s most recent solo piano CD, The 3 B's, which received a 4-star review in Down Beat Magazine, features solo renditions of the music of Bud Powell, Bill Evans and original improvisations on Beethoven themes. “With this subtly provocative solo recital, Ted Rosenthal merges three very different streams of piano history, putting his personal stamp on all of them… a skilled, imaginative artist.” (David R. Adler, All Music Guide). About Rosenthal’s first solo piano CD, Ted Rosenthal Live at Maybeck Hall, Richard Palmer of Jazz Journal wrote, “I am particularly taken with his lovingly historical grasp of jazz piano’s panoply…. One of the best Maybecks I’ve heard.” His CD’s, Expressions, a quintet date, and ThreePlay, a trio outing featuring Dennis Irwin and Matt Wilson, explore Rosenthal originals and jazz standards with an invigorating and free-spirited approach.
Rosenthal is the artistic director of Jazz at Dicapo in New York City, and regularly performs in jazz piano concerts, including at the 92nd Street Y with Bill Charlap and Dick Hyman. At the JVC Jazz Festival, he performed in and co-produced with George Wein, “Piano Starts Here,” also featuring Kenny Barron and Cedar Walton. Rosenthal has also appeared on Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz on National Public Radio, NBC’s Night Music with David Sanborn, and on Judy Carmichael's "Jazz Inspired" on NPR. In addition, he has performed with Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, The Carnegie Hall Jazz Band and the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. Rosenthal is also the pianist of choice for many top jazz vocalists including Helen Merrill, and Ann Hampton Callaway.
Rosenthal’s classical/jazz crossover performances include solo and featured appearances with The Boston Pops, The Baltimore Symphony, The Kansas City Symphony, The Rochester Philharmonic, The Indianapolis Symphony, The Tucson Symphony, The Greater Palm Beach Symphony and The Discovery Orchestra. Rosenthal’s latest work includes “jazzing up the classics,” adapting themes by Brahms, Schumann, Tchaikovsky and others into a mainstream jazz idiom.
Rosenthal holds Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in piano performance from Manhattan School of Music. Active in jazz education, he presents jazz clinics throughout the world, often in association with his touring. He is currently a faculty member at Manhattan School of Music and The Juilliard School. He was a contributing editor for Piano and Keyboard magazine and has published piano arrangements and feature articles for Piano Today and The Piano Stylist.