Ted Rosenthal

Ted Rosenthal is one of the leading jazz pianist/composers of his generation. The New Yorker magazine describes him as “a musician’s musician who balances technique and taste.” The Los Angeles Times calls him “a pianist of rarest skill.” Rosenthal actively tours worldwide with his trio and as a soloist. He also has performed with many jazz greats, including Gerry Mulligan, Art Farmer, Phil Woods, Bob Brookmeyer, and James Moody.

Winner of the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition, Rosenthal has released nineteen CDs as a leader, including a series of 4 new CDs in 2025, featuring his distinctive arrangements of the Great American Songbook, reimaginings of classical themes and original compositions. Rhapsody in Gershwin, which features his arrangement of Rhapsody in Blue for jazz trio, reached #1 in jazz album sales at iTunes and Amazon and received rave reviews: “A musical tour de force” - Audiophile Magazine. Wonderland, was selected as a New York Times holiday pick, and received much critical praise: “Sleek, chic and elegant” – Howard Reich, Chicago Tribune. Impromptu, showcases his reimaginings of classical themes for jazz trio. "A serious listen to Impromptu will be a mind-changing experience...sit back and enjoy these wonderfully creative takes on ten compositions from the classical canon that have never sounded so cool." - Elliott Simon, AllAboutJazz

Rosenthal’s solo album, The 3 B's, received 4 stars from DownBeat magazine. It features music of Bud Powell, Bill Evans and his improvisations on Beethoven themes. “In Rosenthal's hands all this music sounds as though it sprang from the same muse, and that's the sign of a skilled, imaginative artist.” - David R. Adler, All Music Guide.

A recipient of three grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, Rosenthal regularly performs and records his compositions, which include jazz tunes and large-scale works. Rosenthal’s jazz opera, “Dear Erich,” was commissioned and premiered by New York City Opera in 2019. “Dear Erich” attracted much press and critical acclaim: "Compelling...tells a true, wrenching story. Rosenthal's score conveys regret and fragility, with scenes that invite real breakout jazz" – A. Tomassini, New York Times. "Leaves the listener ready to explode with applause" - D. Salazar, Opera Wire. Since the premiere, Rosenthal has presented more than a dozen concert performances of “Dear Erich,” both in the US and Europe.

Rosenthal has also been commissioned by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, The Park Avenue Chamber Symphony, and Dallas Black Dance Theatre. "The Survivor," his concerto for piano and orchestra, has been performed by the Manhattan Jazz Philharmonic and the Rockland Symphony Orchestra, with Rosenthal at the piano. Rosenthal premiered his second jazz piano concerto, “Jazz Fantasy,” with The Park Avenue Chamber Symphony.

Rosenthal was artistic director of Jazz at the Riverdale Y and Jazz at Dicapo Theatre, both in New York City. He has also performed with Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, and Jon Faddis and the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band. In addition, Rosenthal has been the pianist of choice for many top jazz vocalists including Helen Merrill, Ann Hampton Callaway, Kurt Elling and Barbara Cook. He appeared on Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz on National Public Radio and performed with David Sanborn on NBC's Night Music.

Rosenthal’s orchestral performances include solo and featured appearances with The Detroit Symphony, The Phoenix Symphony The Boston Pops, The Grand Rapids Symphony, The Rochester Philharmonic, The Pittsburgh Symphony and The Fort Worth Symphony. Rosenthal often adds improvisations to his performances of Gershwin's works for piano and orchestra, adding an extra dimension of vitality and spontaneity to the music. Rosenthal performed Gershwin's Concerto in F and Rhapsody in Blue for the opening concert of the 92nd Street Y's 2015-16 season. The New York Times called his playing "notable both for its flair and languid, sultry expressive gestures." In 2014 Rosenthal performed Rhapsody in Blue at Town Hall in a concert celebrating the 90th anniversary of its premiere and gave many performances of Rhapsody in 2024 celebrating the 100th anniversary.

Rosenthal received his Bachelors and Masters degrees from the Manhattan School of Music. Active in jazz education, he is on the faculties of The Juilliard School, and Manhattan School of Music, where he also served on their Board of Trustees and received the Presidential Medal for Distinguished Faculty Service. Rosenthal has taught and mentored many of the leading jazz pianists of the younger generation. He presents jazz clinics throughout the world, often in conjunction with his touring. He was a contributing editor for Piano and Keyboard magazine and has published piano arrangements and feature articles for Piano Today, The Piano Stylist and The Juilliard Journal. Ted Rosenthal is a Steinway Artist.

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Ted Rosenthal Trio: High Standards

Read "High Standards" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky

by Dan Bilawsky
April 13, 2025

Ted Rosenthal has remarkably high standards. How else to explain his vast achievement(s) over the past four decades? This ace pianist and composer has done it all--topped the pack at the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition, worked with the crème de la crème (i.e., baritone saxophone icon Gerry Mulligan, alto saxophone legend Phil Woods, multi-hyphenate Bob Brookmeyer, etc.), crafted over a dozen superb leader dates, penned a critically-acclaimed jazz opera (Dear Erich), fulfilled commissions for notable dance troupes, performed ...

Album Review

Ken Peplowski: Live at Mezzrow

Read "Live at Mezzrow" reviewed by Jack Bowers

by Jack Bowers
September 29, 2024

When one is diagnosed with multiple myeloma, as woodwind specialist Ken Peplowski was in June 2021, there are basically two alternatives: either accept the decision and throw in the towel or choose to fight and double down on doing what keeps you active and hopeful, in this case making beautiful music that swings. Obviously, as epitomized by the album Live at Mezzrow, Peplowski chose the latter path, and three years on has apparently won the battle, at least for now, ...

Album Review

Ann Hampton Callaway: Fever: A Peggy Lee Celebration

Read "Fever: A Peggy Lee Celebration" reviewed by Richard J Salvucci

by Richard J Salvucci
January 18, 2023

Peggy Lee was a remarkable singer and songwriter, but to some listeners, deeply enigmatic. Her time, often well behind the beat, conveyed a subtle sense of irony. “Are you getting this?" she sometimes seemed to say, “or am I going too fast for you?" She could be exuberant and world weary almost in the same breath. It was seemingly up to the audience to decipher her meaning. Lee could convey expectation and experience simultaneously, as in her version of “Folks ...

Interview

Ted Rosenthal: Dear Erich, A Jazz Opera

by Ken Dryden
January 7, 2019

Ted Rosenthal is one of the most renowned pianists of his generation. He won first prize at the second Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition and has been awarded several NEA grants as a composer. Well known as the pianist in Gerry Mulligan's final quartet, Rosenthal has recorded or performed with many other artists, including Bob Brookmeyer, Phil Woods, Art Farmer, Jim Hall, Jon Faddis, Benny Golson, James Moody, Mel Lewis, Lee Konitz and Ken Peplowski. Rosenthal has recorded fifteen ...

Album Review

Ted Rosenthal Trio: Rhapsody In Gershwin

Read "Rhapsody In Gershwin" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky

by Dan Bilawsky
June 25, 2014

The glories of George Gershwin have been well-documented in jazz settings. In fact, many would argue that Gershwin's music has been done to death. So does the world really need another tribute to this iconic tunesmith? In theory, it does not. Supply and demand, and the very nature of saturation, would say that a more-than-sufficient dose of Gershwin has been given to the world, so it's time to move on. However, these principles have never applied to this type of ...

Multiple Reviews

2013 Yuletide Offerings

by Dan Bilawsky
December 2, 2013

It's clear that the holidays are coming when the mercury dips and the cheery tidings of the season are balanced out by shopping-fueled malaise. When it comes to music, said shopping is often centered on a series of new holiday-themed releases that seem to arrive like clockwork in the weeks and months prior to Christmas; this year--surprise, surprise--is no different than any other year in that respect. In some ways, it's hard to understand the ever-continuing fascination ...

Album Review

Ted Rosenthal Trio: Wonderland

Read "Wonderland" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan

by Dan McClenaghan
November 7, 2013

Lots of “Christmas Albums" come out every year. Many of them are nice for an easy holiday listen, but let's face it, expectations are low in terms of endurance, and they can often be rightfully seen as quickly done, quick buck affairs. Then there are the ones that have endured: the Vince Guaraldi Trio's A Charlie Brown Christmas (Fantasy, 1965); Elvis Presley's A Christmas Album (RCA, 1957); and Frank Sinatra's A Jolly Christmas From Frank Sinatra (Capitol, 1957). And aside ...

Event

Thelonious Monk 100th Birthday Tribute With The Ted Rosenthal Quintet

Source: Ed Bride Associates
July 27, 2017

Berkshires Jazz, Inc. continues its summer of centennial tributes on August 12 with the Ted Rosenthal Quintet, in a 100th birthday salute to Thelonious Monk. TD Bank is sponsoring the concert, which takes place at the Lee Meeting House (Lee Congregational Church), starting at 7:30pm. Equally renowned as a pianist and composer, Thelonious Monk was known for his unique improvisational style, making numerous contributions to the standard jazz repertoire. Even now, 35 years after his passing, he still has a ...
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Education

Usdan Center's 8/1 Gala Features World Premiere By Ted Rosenthal

Source: Reva Cooper
July 11, 2012

8/1 Usdan Gala Features World Premiere Jazz Work Usdan Center for the Creative and Performing Arts, the renowned summer arts day camp once again cited by TimeOutNY as a “Best Camp" for 2012, will present its annual Gala Concert on Wednesday August 1 at 7:00 PM at its 200-acre woodland campus center, the 1,000-seat McKinley Amphitheater. The 2012 Concert will feature the World Premiere of R ‘n B, a Usdan-commissioned jazz work by critically acclaimed pianist/composer Ted Rosenthal, performed by ...
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Contest

Enter the "Ted Rosenthal - Out of This World" CD Giveaway at All About Jazz!

Source: All About Jazz
February 18, 2012

Performance / Tour

Upcoming Ted Rosenthal Performances

Source: Two for the Show Media
October 13, 2011

Saturday, October 15th, 8:30 PM Ted Rosenthal—Piano Thomson Kneeland—Bass Andy Watson—Drums Watercolor Cafe Larchmont, NY Friday, October 21st, 8:00 PM Ted Rosenthal Trio with Noriko Ueda—Bass Tim Horner—Drums Music Conservatory of Westchester216 Central Avenue White Plains, NY Friday, October 28th, 7:30 PM Ted Rosenthal Trio with Noriko Ueda—Bass Tim Horner—Drums Dix Hills Performing Arts Center FIve Towns College Dix Hills, NY Sunday, October 30, 4:00PM Jazz at Dicapoתth Season, Opening Concert “Out of this ...
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189

Performance / Tour

The Ted Rosenthal Trio Releases "Out of This World" on Playscape Recordings.

Source: Two for the Show Media
September 20, 2011

It would be an understatement to say there is no shortage of pianistic interpretations of the ageless contributions of Gershwin, Rodgers and Hammerstein/Hart, Cole Porter, et. al. So any pianist who dares to take on that canon anew had better have something fresh to say about it. Ted Rosenthal does. On Out Of This World (Playscape Recordings), the new collection featuring Rosenthal on piano, bassist Noriko Ueda and Quincy Davis on drums, 10 timeless classics from the golden era of ...
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Festival

Arturo O'Farrill, Jimmy Heath, Jane Monheit, Ted Rosenthal at Usdan Festival Concerts

Source: Reva Cooper
June 21, 2010

Usdan Center For the Creative and Performing Arts, now entering its 43nd season and once again declared a “Best Of" class or camp for 2010 by TimeOutNY/Kids, will open its series of Festival Concerts, private on-site educational performances for its students, on Monday June 28 at the Center's 200-acre woodland campus. In addition to these concerts, special workshops and master classes will be offered by visiting guest artists throughout the summer.

The Center's 2010 season runs from June 28 to ...
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112

Festival

Jazz Stars Jane Monheit, Ted Rosenthal and others at Usdan Center Festival Concerts

Source: Reva Cooper
June 18, 2008

Singer Jane Monheit, acclaimed young Polish pianist Mateusz Kolakowski, tap dance team DeWitt Fleming and Jared Grimes and pianist/composer Ted Rosenthal are among the jazz stars appearing at Usdan Center For the Creative and Performing Arts' Festival Concerts, private 30-minute educational performances, just for Usdan students, at its on-site 1,000-seat McKinley Ampitheater, beginning Monday June 30. Jane Monheit, one of today's most eminent jazz vocalists, performs this summer at the Tanglewood Jazz Festival; Mateusz Kolakowski is a frequent guest artist ...
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Performance / Tour

Chamber Music at Rodeph Sholom Classical Jazz Concert

Source: All About Jazz
May 22, 2008

"Theme, Moods and Angles" for flute, cello and Jazz Trio" Friday, May 30, at 8PM Chamber Music at Rodeph Sholom reprises their classical/Jazz crossover ensemble in a new program which premiere's pianist/composer Ted Rosenthal's recent chamber jazz composition, Theme, Moods and Angles for flute, cello and Jazz Trio, on Friday evening, May 30th, at 8pm in Schnurmacher Chapel. The guest ensemble, Rosenthal, piano, Cantor Rebecca Garfein, vocals, Susan Rotholz, flute, Eliot Bailen, cello and Artistic Director, Thomson Kneeland, ...
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Event

Dance and Jazz - Ted Rosenthal New Work

Source: All About Jazz
March 22, 2008

Festival

Ted Rosenthal Featured at Bill Evans Festival in Louisiana

Source: All About Jazz
January 29, 2005

Bill Evans will be honored by his Alma Mater the week of February 21-24. Ted Rosenthal will be featured at the conclusion of the four-day jazz festival at Southeastern Louisiana University, from where Evans graduated with honors in 1950. Evans was a recipient of 7 Grammy Awards and produced scores of recordings prior to his death in 1980. The Bill Evans Jazz Festival began four years ago, and since that time has welcomed Debby Evans (Bill's niece for whom he ...
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"Rosenthal is a pianist of rarest skill, weaving rapid single note lines that span out into rich chordal patterns, parallel octaves and hints of the blues" —Leonard Feather, The Los Angeles Times "A new jazz leader" —John S. Wilson, The New York Times