Draft:Esteban Castro (musician)

Esteban Castro

Esteban Castro (2002) is an American jazz pianist, composer and bandleader known for his virtuosic technique and innovative compositions. He is recognized as one of the most promising young talents in the jazz world, having garnered numerous awards and accolades throughout his career.

Biography

Castro was born in Houston, Texas in August of 2002 and grew up in Hackensack, New Jersey after spending part of his childhood in Paris, France. He began playing the piano at the age of four and quickly demonstrated a natural talent for the instrument. He studied classical music at the Music Academy of Houston, and later in the American School of Paris. By the age of six, while continuing his classical education, Castro was introduced to the improvisational genius of Thelonious Monk, and embarked on his jazz journey, showing an early aptitude for improvisation and composition under the tutelage of Paris-based jazz pianist Jobic Le Masson.

At age eight, Castro entered the Manhattan School of Music Precollege to pursue classical studies with the late Prof. Phillip Kawin. He furthered his jazz studies at the New York Jazz Academy under pianist Adam Birnbaum, and joined the Jazz House Kids in Montclair, New Jersey, where he studied with alto saxophonist Julius Tolentino and pianist Oscar Pérez, among others​. At age 10, Castro was the youngest student to be accepted to the Manhattan School of Music Precollege jazz program, where he studied with pianist Jeremy Manasia while double-majoring in classical and jazz studies on a scholarship. While continuing jazz and classical studies at the Manhattan School, he started private lessons with renowned jazz pianist Fred Hersch at age 13. Castro attended the Academy for the Visual and Performing Arts in Music at the Bergen County Academies in Hackensack, New Jersey.

Upon graduating at age 17 from the Bergen Academies and the Manhattan School Precollege in 2020, Castro attended the Juilliard School on a full scholarship, studying under pianist Ted Rosenthal. He obtained his Bachelor of Music degree from Juilliard in May of 2024 at age 21. Currently, Castro is enrolled in the Master of Music program at Juilliard on a full scholarship and continues private lessons with Fred Hersch.

Castro has a variety of "youngest-ever" awards such as first-prize winner at age 13 of the Montreux Jazz Piano Solo Competition in Montreux, Switzerland, first prize at the Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition at 14, finalist at the American Pianists Association's Cole Porter competition (selected at 19), and a variety of ASCAP Foundation Young Jazz Composer Awards starting at age 10, and DownBeat Student Awards also starting at age 10. He won first prize at the American Jazz Pianist Competition in 2022, was a twice National YoungArts Foundation jazz piano winner, and received awards at the Essentially Ellington competition. He has also won a variety of classical competitions.

Career

Esteban Castro has performed internationally, both as a bandleader and as a sought-after sideman. He has performed and collaborated with notable musicians such as Billy Drummond, Francesco Cafiso, Gilad Hekselman, Ambrose Akinmusire and Marcus Miller, among many others​. Castro's performance venues include The Blue Note, The Montreux Jazz Festival, Birdland, Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola, and The Jazz Gallery​​. He performs regularly in the greater New York area and around the country, and has performed abroad in France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico, Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Singapore.

In addition to his performance career, Castro is a prolific composer. He has written over 60 original works, including a five-movement suite for piano trio. His compositions have earned him three ASCAP Foundation Young Jazz Composer Awards and fifteen DownBeat Student Music Awards. In 2018, he was commissioned by the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra to write a big band arrangement for the Thelonious Monk's 100th birthday celebration​. Castro is a Steinway artist.

Style and Influences

Castro's style is characterized by its virtuosity, sophistication and emotional depth, often blending elements of modern jazz with classical influences. His jazz piano heroes include Art Tatum, Bud Powell and Thelonious Monk, whom he considers the "holy trinity" of jazz piano. He is also influenced by contemporary pianists such as Sullivan Fortner​​. Castro's approach to music is playful and exploratory, often pushing the boundaries of traditional jazz through innovative harmonic and rhythmic concepts​​.

Selected Awards and Recognitions

• Montreux Jazz Piano Solo Competition (2016) - First Prize
• Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition (2017) - First Prize
• ASCAP Foundation Young Jazz Composer Awards (Three-time recipient)
• DownBeat Student Music Awards (Fifteen-time recipient)
• Manhattan School of Music Concerto Competition (2020) - First Prize
• American Jazz Pianist Competition (2022) - Grand Bohemian Prize​
• American Pianists Association Awards (2023) - Finalist

Recordings

Esteban Castro is a highly sought-after recording artist and has recorded a variety of albums as a sideman. He also enjoys recording projects in his private studio.

Philanthropy

Castro aspires to be a "force for good" and is dedicated to using his talent for charitable causes. He has donated his time and performances to various organizations, including the Jazz Ambassadors, the American Cancer Society, and Aid to Victims of Hurricane Maria. In 2021, he organized a benefit concert for the GHESKIO Haitian Global Health Alliance, raising fund for victims of the Haiti earthquake.​

Personal Life

Esteban Castro resides in New York City, finishing his studies at the Juilliard School and focusing on his career in jazz performance and composition. He remains committed to pushing the boundaries of jazz and is poised to make a lasting impact on the genre.