Biography

Christopher Jessup is a multi award-winning composer and pianist whose music has been hailed as “lovely” [The New York Times], “imaginative” [Fanfare], and “ethereal” [Textura]. Jessup has collaborated with many of the world’s leading ensembles and soloists, and he has concertized at prestigious venues across the globe. Highly regarded as both a composer and performer, Jessup is one of the foremost musicians of his generation.

Jessup’s works have been performed and recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra, the Brno Contemporary Orchestra, the Juilliard Orchestra, multi GRAMMY® Award-winning choir The Crossing, the Kühn Choir of Prague, the National Sawdust Ensemble, GRAMMY® Award-winning pianist Nadia Shpachenko, GRAMMY® Award-nominated pianist Allison Brewster Franzetti, violist Brett Deubner, flutist Lindsey Goodman, and countless others. Recent and upcoming engagements include a premiere at Carnegie Hall, a 2025 album release, and a work to be performed by the New York Virtuoso Singers. Jessup’s music is released on the GRAMMY® Award-winning Navona Records label, and his works are published by Noten Roehr Frankfurt. Jessup has received numerous awards and accolades, including the American Prize in Composition, a National Sawdust BluePrint Fellowship, two Global Music Awards, and two Clouzine International Music Awards. 

As a pianist, Jessup has performed at notable venues around the world, including nearly a dozen performances at Carnegie Hall. He has also appeared as a soloist with orchestras in North America and Europe. In addition to performing recitals of standard classical repertoire, Jessup frequently premieres his own works as well.

Jessup studied at The Juilliard School under the tutelage of Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Melinda Wagner and world-renowned pianist Jerome Lowenthal. He currently resides in New York City.