Jihee Heo is a jazz pianist and composer based in New York City. Heo has showcased her talents at renowned festivals and venues, including Smalls, Mezzrow, Birdland, Zinc, Django, Sunset Sunside in Paris, and Jacques Pelzer in Belgium, as well as prominent events such as The Washington D.C. Jazz Festival, Leverkusen Jazz Festival, The International African Arts Festival, The Jersey Shore Festival, Bergen PAC, and Harlem Stage, among others.

Her nonet album, “Passion” (2015, self-released), along with “Are You Ready?” (2020, featuring Marty Kenny and Rodney Green, Origin Records), has garnered attention in esteemed publications such as DownBeat Magazine, All About Jazz, France Musique, MM Jazz Korea, Jazz at Lincoln Center’s monthly jazz album roundup, and New York City Jazz Record.

Heo's latest album was recorded on September 21, 2023, at the historic Rudy Van Gelder Studio, featuring distinguished jazz musicians Joe Farnsworth on drums, Alexander Claffy on bass, and Vincent Herring on saxophone. This album is scheduled for release through Origin Records on June 21, 2024. Her music has been highlighted in various magazines and radio stations, and she is currently touring internationally to promote her recent work.

Heo holds a master’s degree from the Manhattan School of Music and a bachelor’s degree from the Conservatorium van Amsterdam.

 “Pianist Jihee Heo has a beautiful legato touch that builds on sturdy lyricism and lustrous harmonies but her work also is filled with delicate, detailed figures”-Downbeat

“Fluid single note runs join colorful chordal voicings, as Heo establishes where this unit fits into the great tradition of the jazz trio”- All About Jazz

Moving the art of the piano trio forward, Heo has a great touch and feel for the keys and knows just how to put it all together in a nonstop show of effervescence that never loses its fizz. -Midwest Record

“What makes this debut so refreshing are its ambitious environs and cohesive approach”-New York City Jazz Record

“Jihee is a rising star. and A great band leader” -Joe Farnsworth

“ Jihee Heo done for me that rare and beautiful thing I value and cherish most about incredible music, She has inspired me.” -Kirk Whalum

“ Jihee Heo has absorbed the history and tradition of Jazz. She is promising voice at the piano pointing to the future of jazz”- Vincent Herring