JOHN JENSEN Pianist

Classical and Jazz recording artist John Jensen received his musical education in Los Angeles, where he attended Occidental College and the University of Southern California, studying with John Crown, Gwendolyn Koldofsky, Ingolf Dahl and Halsey Stevens. After graduating, he served as accompanist on US tours for Columbia Artists Management and joined the Mirecourt Trio with cellist Terry King and violinist Ken Goldsmith.
 

The Mirecourt Trio subsequently became artists-in-residence at Grinnell College, commissioning upward of 30 works and recording albums for the Music & Arts label. The trio also toured Europe and, through the efforts of composer Paul Reale, toured China, presenting concerts and masterclasses. In 1990, Jensen left Grinnell for the Twin Cities (Minneapolis-St. Paul) where he worked for many years with the Minnesota Orchestra and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, and was collaborative pianist at St. Olaf College. He also held the position of director of music at the First Universalist Church of Minneapolis for 22 years.
 

Jensen is also in demand as a chamber music partner for recordings with many exceptional classical solo artists. He taught at the University of St. Thomas, including students interested in jazz improvisation. The music of Paul Reale has been a constant in his pianistic life, and Jensen has recorded solo piano music of Reale on the Music & Arts label along with his landmark solo recording of Charles Ives' tour de force "Concord Sonata". John Jensen will be featured in the upcoming release of the Martinu Clarinet and Piano Sonata with Clarinetist Russell Harlow and Hindmith's Quartet for Clarinet, Violin, Cello and Piano and has also performed and recorded as jazz piano soloist throughout his career.