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Celebrate International Jazz Day with award‑winning pianist Paul Lay at DC Public Library. A powerful evening of world‑class jazz.
Join DC Public Library for an exceptional evening of music with internationally acclaimed pianist and composer Paul Lay, one of the leading voices in contemporary French jazz. Known for his expressive virtuosity, compositional depth, and ability to weave narratives through sound, Lay brings a performance that bridges jazz tradition, classical influence, and humanist imagination.
This program in partnership with Villa Albertine, the Embassy of France, and DC Jazz Festival
The evening begins with a special opening performance by the Duke Ellington School for the Performing Arts Jazz Combo.
Duke Ellington School for the Performing Arts Jazz Combo
Celebrating young talent and the future of jazz in Washington, DC.
Described by Le Monde as one of the foremost jazz pianists of his generation, Paul Lay has earned some of the most prestigious honors in European jazz, including the Grand Prix de l’Académie Charles Cros, the Prix Django Reinhardt, and Instrumental Artist of the Year at the Victoires du Jazz.
A graduate of the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris and Berklee College of Music, Lay has built a unique artistic voice rooted in improvisation, rigorous musical craft, and cross-disciplinary exploration. His work spans solo piano, jazz trio, orchestral collaborations, multimedia performance, and film composition.
Performing internationally—from New York and Berlin to Tokyo and Mexico City—Lay continues to push the boundaries of contemporary jazz. Highlights of his recent work include:
• Contributing to the soundtrack of Ravens by Mark Gill, presented at the Cannes Film Festival
• Premiering Waves of Light for jazz trio and chamber choir with Les Éléments
• Debuting a symphonic expansion of Rhapsody in Blue with major French orchestras
• Continuing his reinterpretation of Gershwin in the 2025 project Un Français à New York
• Releasing his upcoming album Waves of Light in January 2026 (Libellule Records)
Alongside his artistic career, Lay has served since 2022 as professor of jazz piano at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris, shaping the next generation of jazz improvisers.
AGE GROUP: | Seniors | Adults | 5 - 12 Years Old | 13 - 19 Years Old (Teens) |
EVENT TYPE: | Musical Performance | Jazz Appreciation Month |
