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). With a catalogue spanning orchestral, chamber, choral, and solo works, Jessup revels in capturing a wide range of emotions in his music, especially in miniature form. Jessup draws inspiration from poetry, astronomy, and philosophy, creating works that are evocative, compelling, and deeply meaningful. Highly regarded as both a composer and pianist, the Juilliard graduate has concertized throughout North America and Europe, premiering his own piano concerto in Italy at the age of 16. He has performed at Carnegie Hall and other prestigious venues across the globe, with his critically acclaimed piano performances and recordings 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 Brno Contemporary Orchestra, the Juilliard Orchestra, GRAMMY® Award-winning choir The Crossing, the New York Virtuoso Singers, the Kühn Choir of Prague, the National Sawdust Ensemble, pianists Nadia Shpachenko and Allison Brewster Franzetti, violinist Kevin Zhu, violist Brett Deubner, cellist Jeffrey Zeigler, flutist Lindsey Goodman, and countless others. Jessup’s works have been performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, National Sawdust, and other notable venues throughout North America and Europe. 

Jessup has garnered numerous awards and accolades, including the American Prize, as well as recognition from ASCAP, the Respighi Prize, and National Sawdust, among many others. Jessup 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 Universal Edition.

Highlights from the 2024-2025 season include album releases with the London Symphony Orchestra and The Crossing, the premiere of a composition for solo flute at Carnegie Hall, and a performance by the New York Virtuoso Singers. Jessup’s 2025-2026 season includes a second recording by The Crossing, solo piano performances at Carnegie Hall and Merkin Hall, a premiere by the TEMPO Ensemble, a commission for flutist Lindsey Goodman and pianist Clare Longendyke, and a performance of a commissioned work at the Impulse New Music Festival in Los Angeles.

Jessup studied at The Juilliard School with Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Melinda Wagner and pianist Jerome Lowenthal. Jessup resides in New York City.