For nearly 20 years, Pierre Hurel’s improvisation workshop at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee has been a cornerstone for musicians looking to expand their artistry. As the workshop approaches its 20th anniversary, Pierre reflects on his journey from performing on stages with is trio to shaping the next generation of musicians. In this episode, he shares how his early experiences in jazz led him to a career in both performance and education, the evolution of his teaching philosophy, and what makes his workshop a unique space for artistic growth. From navigating the unpredictability of the arts to inspiring students to take creative risks, Pierre offers insight into a life dedicated to music, mentorship, and the pursuit of expression.

About Pierre Hurel: Born in Paris, pianist and composer Pierre Hurel was first discovered by Paris Jazz Conservatory’s founder and director Charles Henry. At age 20, as he was about to reluctantly start a career in business, Hurel decided to change course and enrolled at the School of Modern Music in Paris. Six months later, he came to Boston for a summer session at the Berklee College of Music and has remained here ever since. Hurel has been featured numerous times on New England Cable News and his music has been played on WGBH, WERS, WBUR, WMBR, Paris Jazz, Europe 1 and France inter, among others. He has recorded eight albums. Hurel is a regular at the Regattabar in Cambridge, and has appeared at numerous Jazz festivals including the Nice and Toulon Jazz Festivals in France, and Jazz clubs including the Duc des Lombards in Paris, the Knickerbocker in New York and locally at Sculler’s and Ryles Jazz clubs, among others.

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