Charles Heisser

Born in 1998, Charles Heisser was introduced to the piano at the age of 5 when he entered Anne-Lise Gastaldi’s class at the CRR de Paris. At her side, he became aware of contemporary language, notably through the “Piano Project” – a collection of commissions from composers such as G. Kurtág, P. Boulez and others.

At the same time, decisive encounters with Martial Solal and then Manuel Rocheman prompted him to undertake jazz training at the CRR in Paris. Succeeding in the unprecedented double feat of entering the Paris CNSMD in both classical (Denis Pascal’s class) and jazz, he obtained his two bachelor’s degrees in 2021 and 2022. Equally passionate about composition, he studied with composer Yves Chauris.

Exploring a variety of repertoires, from jazz to classical solo piano, chamber music, contemporary creation and composition, he takes part in major French festivals, including La Roque d’Anthéron, Saou chante Mozart, Nice Classic Live, La Folle Journée de Nantes, Jazz à Vienne and Jazz à La Défense.

In 2018, his shared improvisation with Chick Corea during a concert at the Fondation Vuitton earned him a place on the legendary pianist’s latest solo album, “Plays”. The following year, he was a finalist in the Jazz à La Défense competition with the group Epic Saga, and won the international Crest Jazz competition with his group Nota Bene.

Continuing to develop his palette of colors, with notably the jazz quartet Nyouz (accompanied by a string sextet), the Afro-beat group Angelo Maria, Parrarel Keys with percussionist Aurélien Gignoux (a program combining works by G. Ligeti, C. Corea, B. Bartók, C. Debussy and L. Boulanger), he composed a work at the request of cellist François Salque.

In 2021, he won the “Mondes nouveaux” prize – a program launched by the French Ministry of Culture to support young creators – with Rythmes de l’âme, a large-scale project based on interactions between jazz, contemporary and modern music, bringing together fourteen musicians and premiering at the Château de Carcassonne on June 21, 2023.