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. In addition to his solo piano work, Theo released an electronic album “if the wind were visible” and accompanying short film in November of 2022. This was his first release as a producer/filmmaker. Walentiny has lead numerous ensembles playing original compositions including a septet and an octet. He is currently developing a new solo electroacoustic set and composing works for duo and trio.
Theo has also been making a name for himself as a film composer. Films he’s scored have appeared at various festivals including The Paris International Film Festival, The London Director Awards, The Atlanta Film Festival, The Maryland Film Festival, SXSW and others.
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.
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 has worked with The Metropolis Ensemble, Arta Jekabsone, Kalia Vandever, Lucas Kadish, and Secret Mall among others. Currently, Theo is an active collaborator with Alfredo Colon, Elora and Stimmerman.
As an active performer, Theo Walentiny has appeared at such notable venues as The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Jazz Gallery, The Stone, Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, The Blue Note, NYC Winter Jazz Fest, Beit Ha’amudim, Bern Jazz Festival, Hangzhou JZ Club, San Teodoro Jazz Festival, Birds Eye Jazz Club and Montreux Jazz Festival, among others.
Theo currently lives in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn where he continues to write, perform and teach.
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“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. Blessed with a remarkable sonic command, a patient formal wisdom, and the courage to draw from the depths of his inner world…” — Vijay Iyer
“Theo’s compositions and improvisations are carefully crafted works of inspiration – his creative approach to time, space, dynamics and range are incredible.” — Oliver Lake