Jacky Terrasson (born November 27, 1965) is a French jazz pianist and composer.
Background
Terrasson's mother is African-American from Georgia, and his father is French. From his parents he heard classical music as a child. He began piano lessons at an early age. He became interested in jazz when he heard his mother's albums of Miles Davis and Billie Holiday. Terrasson went to the Berklee College of Music in Boston for two semesters, then performed in clubs as a jazz pianist in Chicago and New York City. In 1993 he won the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition. As the leader of a trio, Terrasson recorded his first solo album for Blue Note, then recorded with Jimmy Scott and Cassandra Wilson. He has worked with Stéphane Belmondo, Michael Brecker, Mino Cinélu, Ugonna Okegwo, Leon Parker, Michel Portal, Adam Rodgers, and Cécile McLorin Salvant. The Los Angeles Times heralds him as "a pianist with a shining improvisational imagination, Terrasson seems clearly determined to follow his own path."
Discography
As leader/co-leader
Moon and Sand with Tom Harrell (Jazz Aux Ramparts, 1991) Jacky Terrasson (Blue Note, 1994) Reach (Blue Note, 1995) Rendezvous with Cassandra Wilson (Blue Note, 1997) Alive (Blue Note, 1998) – live recorded in 1997 What It Is (Blue Note, 1999) – recorded in 1998 A Paris... (Blue Note, 2000) Kindred with Stefon Harris (Blue Note, 2001) Smile (Blue Note, 2002) Into the Blue with Emmanuel Pahud (Blue Note, 2003) – recorded in 2001 Mirror (Blue Note, 2007) – recorded in 2006 Push (Concord Jazz, 2010) – recorded in 2009 Gouache (Universal, 2012) Take This (Impulse!, 2015) – recorded in 2014 Mother with Stéphane Belmondo (Impulse!, 2016) 53 (Blue Note, 2019)
As sideman
With Cindy Blackman
In the Now (Highnote, 1998) – recorded in 1997
Telepathy (Muse, 1994)
With Ry Cooder
Music from the Motion Picture Primary Colors (MCA, 1998) Chavez Ravine (Nonesuch, 2005) My Name Is Buddy (Nonesuch, 2007)
With Philippe Gaillot
Be Cool (Ilona, 2018) CassIstanmbul (That Sound, 2022)
With Javon Jackson
When the Time Is Right (Blue Note, 1994) - recorded in 1993
For One Who Knows (Blue Note, 1995)
With others
Stefano di Battista, Stefano di Battista (Blue Note, 2000) Ray Brown, Ray Brown's New Two Bass Hits (Capri, 1992) – recorded in 1991 Jesse Davis, As We Speak (Concord Jazz, 1992) Eddie Harris, Freedom Jazz Dance (Venus, 1994) Jon Hassell, Fascinoma (Water Lily Acoustics, 1999) Irvin Mayfield and Jaz Sawyer, Live at the Blue Note (Half Note, 2000) – live Leon Parker, Above and Below (Epicure, 1994) Dianne Reeves, Quiet After the Storm (Blue Note, 1994) Antoine Roney, The Traveler (Muse, 1994) Wallace Roney, Seth Air (Muse, 1991) Jimmy Scott, Heaven (Warner Bros., 1996) Art Taylor, Wailin' at the Vanguard (Verve, 1993) – live recorded in 1992