Wednesday Dec 3, 2025
7:30 PM - 9:00 PM EST
Mahaney Arts Center, Olin C. Robison Concert Hall
72 Porter Field Road
Middlebury, VT 05753
Reserved Seating. Tickets: $30 general public | $20 Middlebury ID holders | $10 youth (under 21) | $5 Middlebury students.
Rising star jazz pianist Isaiah J. Thompson makes his Middlebury debut with “A Guaraldi Holiday,” which promises to start your December in a swinging mood. Thompson will highlight the works of composer/pianist Vince Guaraldi, who introduced generations to jazz through his Peanuts cartoon-accompanying scores. Guaraldi’s works are in good hands with Thompson, who’s already been named a Steinway artist, and is the winner of the 2023 American Pianists Association Awards, as well as their Cole Porter Fellow in Jazz.
Approximate running time: 80 minutes, no intermission.
About the Artist:
Originally from West Orange, New Jersey, pianist, bandleader, and composer Isaiah J. Thompson graduated from the Juilliard School with both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at just age 23. He’s now on their faculty. Thompson has performed with major artists including John Pizzarelli, Christian McBride, Cécile McLorin Salvant, and many more. He worked on the Golden Globe-nominated soundtrack for Motherless Brooklyn. In addition to winning the 2023 American Pianists Association Awards and their Cole Porter Fellowship in Jazz, he won the 2018 Lincoln Center Emerging Artist Award, and second place in the 2018 Thelonious Monk Competition. As a performer, Thompson tries to emit love, spirit and respect and convey his personal experiences through his artistry and his everlasting love of jazz. Learn more about Isaiah J. Thompson:https://www.isaiahjthompson.com/
Program:
Isaiah J. Thompson, Piano
Bass and Drums TBA
“A Guaraldi Holiday” jazz piano trio program
Sponsored by the Performing Arts Series and the Rothrock Family Residency Fund.