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Mathis Picard is an internationally renowned pianist, composer and producer. Based in New York City and originally from France & Madagascar, Mathis finds his voice by merging his many musical and cultural backgrounds. Named a “rising star” by The Scotsmen paper at the age of 10, Mathis is now one of the most prominent rising voices on the piano of his generation today. Picard is an ASCAP Next Generation of Songwriters Recipient, a member of the Montreux Jazz Foundation, a Juilliard School Alumni under the mentorship of Kenny Barron and has performed all over the globe. London reviewers describe Mathis as a “knockout, as dynamic a personality as he is virtuosic on the keys” (whatsonstage.com), while he is deemed as “one to watch” by Jazzwise Magazine.
A bandleader in his own right, Picard runs The Sound Orchestra (formally known as M.S.O), his large scale ensemble which has performed on both coasts of The United States, from NuBlu and Dizzy’s Club. in New York City to Black Cat in San Francisco. Their debut genre-bending EP “World Unity” came out in 2020 on Outside In Music Records which put him on the map as “a fascinating name to follow in any context” (All About Jazz). As a solo artist, Picard then released his first solo piano album, “Live at the Museum” (Winter 2022) for which he was praised as having a “brilliant classical technique and a vivid imagination” (Downbeat). Recorded with a live audience at the National Jazz Museum of Harlem in New York City, this work is a sonic journey through which Mathis explores the museum of his own varried musical upbringing.
Globe trotting between the E.U, U.K. and the U.S in his formative years, Picard picked up the piano while living in Pittsburgh with his family, at the age of 4. Beginning official studies soon thereafter, Picard’s followed a rigorous musical education which carried through to his adult life. Starting with the Pittsburgh Suzuki Academy (Pittsburgh, USA) (1999-2000); then the The Conservatoire of Fontainebleau (France) (2001-2002); the Centre de Musique de Didier Lockwood (France) (2003-2005); and most significantly Chethams School Of Music (2006-2012), a specialist boarding school in Manchester, England. During his time in the U.K,Picard, became youngest ever finalist at the Montreux Jazz Piano Competition at the age of 10; was inducted in the North West Real Book for his composition “Why Don’t You See?”; wrote his first orchestral piece for Jazz trio and Orchestra “Akire” commissioned by the N.C.O (Northern Chamber Orchestra), and was featured on Jazzwise’s Magazine for his composition “Bird Like”.
Mathis now spends his time touring and recording as a leader of his own sound and with other bands. In Spring 2022, Picard toured the U.S. as a solo Artist, playing a dozen shows across the United States which led to the release of “Live At Blue Llama”, a 3-track Live EP of original music recorded at the club during the tour. During this same time Picard released his first fugue “Mysticism Of Money: Fugue in D minor” as a music video with NPR Live Sessions and WRTI 90.1 for International Jazz Day. In the Summer of 2022, Picard completed another EU solo piano highlighted by an invite from Umbria Jazz Festival to be the festival’s resident artist.
Picard’s latest studio album “Heat Of The Moment”, was given a 5-star “glorious” review from the The Times, praising Mathis as a pianist and composer. The 10-track full-length original music album feature performances from this new generation’s top leading voices in jazz. Due to the album’s success, Mathis recorded a live version of the album “Live At The Royal Room” in Seattle, Washington featuring his trio with Jonathan Pinson & Parker McAllister.
In recent news for 2025, Mathis completed an Asia Tour with his trio, headlining The Imagine Land Festival in Hong Kong and tapping a live concert in Seoul, South Korea. Mathis also premiered his latest work “Preludes & Fugues: Book 1” for piano solo at Joe’s Pub in New York City and L’Ecuje in Paris, which recorded and broadcasted live by Radio France. Mathis has been named as Musical Director and Arranger for the revival of Tony-Award winning Broadway musical “Ain’t Misbehavin”.
When not leading his own projects, Picard has shared the musical stage with artists such as Ron Carter, Lillias White, Cyrille Aimee, Cecile McLorin Salvant, Lee Ritenour, Kindness, Wynton Marsalis, Veronica Swift, Etienne Charles, Christian McBride, Braxton Cook, Andre DeSheilds, Dee Dee Bridgewater & more.
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