Misha Piatigorsky Wins the Thelonious Monk Institute's 2004 International Jazz Competition for "Low Talk"

Misha Piatigorsky

Misha Piatigorsky was named winner of the International Jazz Composers Competition, an annual event held at the Kennedy Center during the Thelonious Monk Institute's International Jazz Competition. The winning work, "LOW TALK" can be heard on the composer/pianist's latest CD release, "Mama Got Me Thinkin" with his group AYA. Misha and his latest group, TRIO DEL SOL, have an upcoming CD release on Twinz Records label in the fall of 2004.

Misha was born in Moscow at the height of the Cold War. He grew up listening to his father compose music for the Taganka Theatre, and from the age of 5, he studied classical piano. Misha immigrated to the US with his family at the age of 8, and at 16, he discovered jazz. He earned his Bachelor's Degree from Rutgers University, where he studied with Kenny Barron, and his Masters Degree from Manhattan School of Music.

Misha began composing in his early twenties, and producing became the natural synthesis of his dual roles. He has produced, written and arranged for singers including Mariani Ebert, Barbara Mendes, Judy Bady, and Ayelet Piatigorsky. He performs world-wide with his ensembles Trio Del Sol, AYA, and the Piatigorsky Ensemble. His compositions also include works for Brazilian Jazz, Film and Music Theater. The ASCAP Foundation featured Misha on a "Thru The Walls" Showcase last season.