TOM OREN

Pianist, Composer, Arranger and Bandleader

Tom Oren is a pianist, composer and arranger and bandleader. He is the only Israeli musician who won the first prize in the prestigious International Piano Competition of the Thelonious Monk (currently Herbie Hancock) Institute of Jazz, in 2018. He was judged by a jury of piano giants: Herbie Hancock, Monty Alexander, Joanne Brackeen, Cyrus Chestnut, Jason Moran, Danilo Perez and Rene Rosnes.

Following his win, Tom was signed by the historic record label Concord Jazz. In October 2020, he released his debut album, Dorly's Song, via Concord Jazz, to critical acclaim. In a JazzTimes Magazine review, Jeff Tamarkin wrote that "Oren is a formidable player", and stated the album is "An impressive debut".

In addition, in 2021, Tom was nominated for an Israeli Academy Award (The Ophir Award) in the category of Best Original Music, for the music he wrote for the feature film "Image of Victory" by internationally prominent Israeli director, Avi Nehser. A year later, in 2022, Milan Records of Sony Music Entertainment, released Tom's original music for the film as an Original Soundtrack Album (Music by Tom Oren, Score by Randy Kerber and Tom Oren). The film is now available on Netflix.

As a soloist and leader of the Tom Oren Trio, as well as a sideman, Tom has appeared on world-class stages, including the Jazz à Juan Festival in Antibes, WBGO’s 'The Checkout', Jarasum Jazz Festival in Korea, the International Jazz Day celebration in Saint Petersburg, Russia, and the Red Sea Jazz Festival, just to name a few.

Especially notable is Tom Oren's Piano Solo Set at the renowned Newport Jazz Festival in 2019.

Oren was born in Tel Aviv, Israel and began his music training at age six. An honors graduate of the Israeli Conservatory of Music Classical Department, as well as the Thelma Yellin High School of the Arts Jazz Department; he studied at the renowned Rimon Jazz Institute and attended Berklee College of Music on a full scholarship. In December of 2019, he graduated from Berklee with honors.

Oren's achievements include winning first prize in Rimon’s annual Jazz Musician Contest and numerous America-Israel Cultural Foundation Excellency Scholarships. As a pianist, arranger and composer, he has performed and recorded with a host of leading Israeli jazz musicians. As of 2016, he has been a core member of the Eli Degibri Quartet.