Christopher Jessup is an award-winning composer and pianist whose music has been hailed as “lovely” (The New York Times), “imaginative” (Fanfare), and “ethereal” (Textura). Renowned for his evocative, emotionally-rich style—often inspired by poetry, philosophy, and astronomy—Jessup bridges lyricism and modernity, weaving classical traditions with a deeply personal voice. He has a particular affinity for musical miniatures that capture intimate sonic landscapes with clarity and depth.

At just sixteen, Jessup premiered his own piano concerto at the historic Sala dei Notari in Perugia, Italy—an early milestone in a career characterized by expressive power and creative vision. He has since established himself as both a composer and pianist of distinction, appearing at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, National Sawdust, and Merkin Hall, where in 2020 he performed Mozart’s Piano Concerto in F Major, K. 459 as a soloist with the Camerata Artists Orchestra. His piano performances and recordings have been lauded as “refined and eloquent” (New York Concert Review) and “absolutely breathtaking” (Interlude).

Jessup’s music has been performed and recorded by leading ensembles and soloists such as the London Symphony Orchestra, the Juilliard Orchestra, the Nuremberg Symphony Orchestra, the Brno Contemporary Orchestra, GRAMMY® Award-winning choir The Crossing, the New York Virtuoso Singers, the Kühn Choir of Prague, Choral Arts Initiative, the National Sawdust Ensemble, soprano Bree Nichols, pianists Nadia Shpachenko, Allison Brewster Franzetti, and Clare Longendyke, violinist Kevin Zhu, violist Brett Deubner, cellist Jeffrey Zeigler, flutist Lindsey Goodman, and countless others.

Jessup has garnered recognition from ASCAP, the American Prize, the Respighi Prize, and National Sawdust, and has been featured in prestigious publications such as The New York Times, Billboard, Gramophone, Fanfare, and Pianist Magazine. His music has aired on NPR and Classic FM, the latter of which praised him as a “young classical star.” Jessup's music is released on the GRAMMY® Award-winning Navona Records label and his works are published by BCP Music.

Upcoming and recent highlights include album releases with the London Symphony Orchestra and The Crossing, commissions for the Nuremberg Symphony Orchestra, soprano Bree Nichols, flutist Lindsey Goodman, and pianist Clare Longendyke, the premiere of a composition for solo flute at Carnegie Hall, a premiere by Choral Arts Initiative, a performance by the New York Virtuoso Singers, and solo piano performances at Carnegie Hall and Merkin Hall in New York.

Jessup studied at The Juilliard School with Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Melinda Wagner and pianist Jerome Lowenthal. He currently resides in New York City, where he continues to compose, perform, and explore the intersections of poetry, philosophy, nature, and sound.