Kris Tokarski

Kris Tokarski grew up in a Hungarian–American household, and was raised on classical music and Hungarian folk music. He completed his bachelor’s degree at Berkley College of Music in Boston, MA. In 2011, Tokarski moved to New Orleans to complete a master’s degree at the University of New Orleans and soon embraced the early piano traditions of the city as well as those of the northeast where he grew up. A keen interest in the music of Jelly Roll Morton, James P. Johnson, and Teddy Wilson; combined with his bebop roots (he studied with bebop master, Barry Harris) allowed Kris to develop an all-encompassing voice of his own. An in-demand jazz pianist, he has performed at notable festivals and venues including the Umbria Winter Jazz Festival, The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, the French Quarter Fest, and more.

Performed in: 2017, 2018