Full Bio
Assel Jean-Pierre Jr. is a Haitian-American pianist, composer, recording artist, producer, and educator whose music brings together classical virtuosity, jazz improvisation, gospel expression, and the rhythmic traditions of Haiti and the Caribbean.
Born in New York and raised in a musical family, Assel began playing piano at the age of three under the guidance of his father. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Music in Classical Piano Performance and a Master’s degree in Jazz & Composition from the University of Central Florida, developing a musical voice shaped equally by the concert hall, the jazz tradition, the church, and his Haitian heritage.
Today, Assel’s primary focus is his work as a recording and touring artist and leader of the Assel Jean-Pierre Trio. His performances move fluidly between original compositions, jazz standards, classical repertoire, Haitian music, gospel, and Afro-Caribbean rhythms, creating shows designed to be both musically sophisticated and deeply accessible. Recent releases including Canonge, Se Pa Pou Dat, Kinel, and Beautiful Love reflect that evolving sound and his growing focus on original music.
In November 2025, Assel performed at Carnegie Hall as part of Seven Pianists, appearing alongside internationally recognized pianists including Joey Alexander, Valentina Lisitsa, Natalie Tenenbaum, Jimin Park, and the Altino Brothers. His performance credits also include the NFL Pro Bowl Halftime Show with Jordan Fisher, as well as appearances at jazz clubs, cultural institutions, concert halls, and performance series throughout the United States and abroad.
His musicianship extends well beyond the piano. As an arranger, orchestrator, and producer, Assel has worked across jazz, gospel, contemporary music, and large ensemble settings. For Gospel Goes Classical, he orchestrated music for a 35-plus-piece orchestra, including an arrangement of Richard Smallwood’s “Holy Thou Art God” that received Smallwood’s approval. His work as a producer continues through recordings, artist collaborations, arrangements, and studio projects.
Assel’s international performance and educational work has taken him throughout the United States, Haiti, France, Greece, Switzerland, and Italy. He has also served as Music Co-Director and Accompanist for the Ultimate International Performing Arts Summer Intensive in Italy and remains committed to developing musicians through private teaching, mentorship, and creative collaboration.
At the center of Assel’s work is a desire to create experiences rather than simply performances. Whether reimagining a jazz standard through a Haitian rhythmic lens, moving from classical repertoire into an original composition, or bringing an audience from reflection to celebration within a single set, his music is built around connection, storytelling, and cultural identity.
As his recording catalog and live presence continue to grow, Assel is focused on bringing this sound to jazz clubs, concert halls, festivals, and international stages—creating music that honors where he comes from while continuing to push toward where he is going.
Short Bio
Assel Jean-Pierre Jr. is a Haitian-American pianist, composer, and recording artist whose music blends jazz, classical virtuosity, gospel, and the rhythms of Haiti and the Caribbean. A graduate of the University of Central Florida with degrees in Classical Piano Performance and Jazz & Composition, he leads the Assel Jean-Pierre Trio and has performed throughout the United States and internationally.
His credits include Carnegie Hall’s Seven Pianists, the NFL Pro Bowl Halftime Show with Jordan Fisher, and Gospel Goes Classical, where his work included orchestration for a 35-plus-piece orchestra. Through original releases including Canonge, Se Pa Pou Dat, Kinel, and Beautiful Love, Assel is developing a distinctive sound rooted in his Haitian heritage while pushing across the boundaries of jazz, classical, gospel, and Caribbean music.