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New Jersey born pianist, composer and improviser Theo Walentiny grew up in an artistic home, his father an abstract painter and his mother an art therapist. He began studying classical music and improvisation from age 6. Eventually, Theo also discovered McCoy Tyner, Chick Corea and Charles Mingus, among others, leading him to further study jazz and improvised music. He began to study privately under jazz pianist Oscar Perez and taught himself various music technology skills guiding him to an interest in film scoring.
Walentiny moved to New York City to continue his studies at The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in 2014. While at The New School he has been fortunate enough to study with Reggie Workman, Jane Ira Bloom and Kirk Nurock among many others. It is here that Walentiny began to forge and solidify his sound drawing upon influences such as Andrew Hill, Tyshawn Sorey, Tōru Takemitsu and Henri Dutilleux.
He released his debut album “Looking Glass” (as a leader) on April 2, 2021. This album is a collection of solo piano improvisations recorded in the fall of 2019. “Looking Glass” has already earned praise from some estimable figures, not only MacArthur “Genius” pianist-composer Vijay Iyer, “Theo Walentiny has been a quietly stunning presence on the New York scene for some years now. His music, while at times deceptively austere, invariably bursts open with rich, complex emotion. This recording of solo piano improvisations is a gift of genuine presence, like having a poet over to your home for an afternoon of rich, impassioned insights. Blessed with a remarkable sonic command, a patient formal wisdom, and the courage to draw from the depths of his inner world, Theo in turn blesses us with this hour of dazzling juxtapositions of wildness and tenderness. Time spent with this music is time rewarded.” but also veteran saxophonist Oliver Lake, “Theo’s compositions and improvisations are carefully crafted works of inspiration – his creative approach to time, space, dynamics and range are incredible.”
He is a founding member of the Aurelia Trio alongside bassist Nick Dunston and drummer Connor Parks. The group has been named Aurelia due to their sound being closely associated with the lucid-dreamlike appearance and movement of the Aurelia jellyfish. Rooted in jazz, Aurelia Trio’s musical language bears several other influences, particularly contemporary classical music and free improvisation. Featuring music written by all three members, original composition with an emphasis on improvisation is a key aspect of Aurelia Trio’s sound.
In addition to Aurelia, Walentiny leads a septet which also features Jasper Dutz, Adam O'Farrill, Kalia Vandever, Lee Meadvin, Nick Dunston and Connor Parks. The septet’s repertoire features his own compositions exclusively and ranges in influence from impressionism and romanticism to modern jazz while sometimes cross collaborating with visual artists.
He is an alumnus of Jazz House Kids, NJPAC Jazz for Teens, The Banff International Jazz Workshop and The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music.
Walentiny is at the heart of this new scene of up and coming composers/improvisers, which at this point has become more of a close-knit family than anything else. He is currently a member of the Arta Jekabsone quintet, Kalia Vandever quartet, Lucas Kadish “Tundra” and Secret Mall among others.
As an active performer, Theo Walentiny has appeared at such notable venues as The Jazz Gallery (NYC), The Stone (NYC), Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola (NYC), The Blue Note (NYC), Tri-C Jazz Festival (Ohio), Beit Ha’amudim (Israel), Bern Jazz Festival (Switzerland) Huanglou JZ Club (China) and Montreux Jazz Festival (Switzerland).
Additionally he has a passion for composing to picture among other forms of multimedia content. He is an active contributor to the Speak Low Sync Library (based in Beijing). For more info check out the “Sync Library” and “Film Scoring” pages above.
Theo currently lives in Williamsburg, Brooklyn where he continues to write, perform and teach.