Pianist and composer Isaiah J. Thompson, a native of West Orange, New Jersey, began his musical studies at an early age with Alla Epelbaum at The Calderone School of Music and Bob Mikula. He later enrolled in Jazz House Kids and NJPAC’s Jazz for Teens before attending The Juilliard School, where he completed both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. He later pursued further education in Christian Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary.

Isaiah joined the John Pizzarelli Trio in 2019 and has performed with other major artists such as, Christian McBride, Steve Turre and Catherine Russell. His recording debut was featured on Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Handful of Keys with Wynton Marsalis, and he has since released several recordings as a leader.

Thompson contributed to the Golden Globe nominated soundtrack for the film Motherless Brooklyn, was named a Steinway Artist and has been awarded other accolades including, the 2018 Lincoln Center Emerging Artist Award and second place in the 2018 Thelonious Monk Competition. In 2023 he was named the winner of the American Pianists Awards and the Cole Porter Fellowship in Jazz and in 2024 Thompson joined the Jazz Studies Faculty at The Juilliard School.

As a jazz musician, Isaiah seeks to embody love, spirit, and respect, using his artistry as a creative expression of evangelism and a means to communicate the gospel.