








Short Bio
Hailed as a 'prodigiously gifted composer and virtuoso pianist,' James Fernando creates music at the intersection of jazz, classical, and electronic genres. His original compositions fuel dynamic performances on prestigious stages worldwide. A Berklee College of Music graduate, he has released five albums and collaborated with internationally acclaimed, award-winning artists.
Long Bio
James Fernando (b. 1995) is a Philadelphia-based pianist and composer whose music seamlessly blends jazz, classical, and electronic influences. He has been hailed by World Music Report as a “prodigiously gifted composer and virtuoso pianist,” by Jazz Sensibilities as “limitless in his ability to articulate his ideas,” and by Contemporary Fusion Reviews for “creating one of the most amazing musical experiences you’ve ever had.”
A former Strathmore Artist in Residence (2021–2022), Fernando has received numerous accolades, including recognition from DownBeat Magazine, the National YoungArts Foundation, and first prize at the West Virginia International Piano Competition. In 2017, he participated in the prestigious Banff International Workshop in Jazz & Creative Music. He graduated summa cum laude from Berklee College of Music in just three years.
Fernando has performed at premier venues and festivals worldwide, as well as for private audiences, including elected officials, celebrities, and billionaires. His collaborators include GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award winner Tom Paxton, GRAMMY winners Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer, steelpan virtuoso Victor Provost, and jazz luminary Chris Cheek.
As a prolific recording artist, Fernando has released five albums. His discography includes Extended Layover (2018), a collaboration with Mingjia; his critically acclaimed solo debut The Lonely Sailor (2019); Blackbird/Fly (2021); The Grind(2022), a collaboration with Matt Lagan; and his most recent release, Piano Poetry (2023).
Beyond performing and composing, Fernando is a dedicated educator. He serves as a faculty member at Levine Music in Washington, D.C., and frequently leads workshops at universities and community music schools across the United States.
In the Press
01/09/2025 The MoCo Show
09/09/2024 The Southern Maryland Chronicle
06/04/2023 C-VILLE Weekly
02/03/2023 A Strange Arrangement
01/09/2023 The Georgetown Dish
11/02/2022 The Washington Informer
07/25/2022 The Southern Maryland Chronicle
03/25/2022 A Strange Arrangement
11/07/2021 The Washington Informer
01/07/2021 Capitol Bop
08/18/2020 Contemporary Fusion Reviews
07/10/2020 The Jazz Word
02/27/2020 Take Effect Reviews
02/04/2020 5 Finger Review
02/01/2020 World Music Report
01/31/2020 Stacattofy
01/29/2020 Sound in Review
10/09/2019 High Standards
07/30/2019 Needham Times
07/09/2019 Chalked Up Reviews
02/22/2019 The Vinyl Anachronist
02/20/2019 The Aquarian Weekly
02/18/2019 Jazz Weekly
02/18/2019 Needham Times
02/13/2019 Needham Hometown Weekly
02/10/2019 Textura Magazine
02/09/2019 Michael Doherty
02/08/2019 Midwest Records
02/04/2019 Jazz Sensibilities
01/04/2019 Rootsville
01/02/2019 jazz2love
06/21/2018 Falls Church News Press
06/15/2018 Needham Times
06/01/2018 W&S Music