Ted Rosenthal

Ted Rosenthal is one of the leading jazz pianist and composers of his generation. He 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 19 CDs as a leader, including four 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 No. 1 in jazz album sales on iTunes and Amazon.

Rosenthal’s solo album "The 3 B's" features music of Bud Powell, Bill Evans, and his improvisations on Beethoven themes.

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. Since the premiere, Rosenthal has presented more than a dozen concert performances of Dear Erich in the U.S. and Europe.

Rosenthal has also been commissioned by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, 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 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, 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 NPR and performed with David Sanborn on NBC's "Night Music."

Rosenthal received his bachelor's and master's degrees from Manhattan School of Music. Active in jazz education, he is on the faculties of Juilliard 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.