2025 Rising Star Series
Jazz Piano: the return of the Prodigies, with Jasper Zimmerman and Esteban Castro
The first event in our “Rising Star” series takes place on Tuesday, July 15, and it’s a veritable “We told you so” concert. With the theme of “Jazz Piano: the return of the prodigies,” the concert is a double bill: two remarkable solo pianists in recital. Jazper Zimmerman and Estaban Castro, who gave such memorable performances in our “Jazz Prodigy” series over the years, return to the main stage as we launch this new series in collaboration with the Boston University Tanglewood Institute.
The venue is BUTI’s stunning West Street Theatre, on the campus at 45 West Street, Lenox, Massachusetts. Jasper opens at 7:30pm, and after a break, Estaban takes to the stage. Tickets are on sale now!
Tuesday, July 15 at 7:30–9:30pm
Boston University Tanglewood Institute (BUTI)
45 West Street, Lenox, Massachusetts
Jasper Zimmerman
Jasper Zimmerman has been playing piano since he was seven years old, and has been composing original works since he was nine. He has played at venues around the globe, from New York (Carnegie Hall, for example) to South Africa. He made his Berkshires debut in the Jazz Prodigy concert at the 2024 Pittsfield CityJazz Festival. Over his years at Hastings (NY) High School, he won student awards for original composition, for his work as soloist with the school’s concert band, and as a member of a Latin jazz ensemble that performs his original compositions. He has earned 10 DownBeat awards as a pianist, composer, and band member. The 2025 graduate is headed for Princeton this fall.
Esteban Castro
Esteban Castro is a 22-year-old pianist and composer based in New York City. He performs internationally with his own band, and is in high demand as a sideman. He has performed at The Blue Note, The Montreux Jazz Festival, NPR Tiny Desk, Birdland, Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, and many other prestigious venues. Before all this started, he was the Jazz Prodigy in the 2015 Pittsfield CityJazz Festival. That’s right — at the age of 12, he came to this launching pad and started to make history. At age 13, Esteban was the First Prize Winner in the Montreux Jazz Piano Solo Competition in 2016, making him the youngest ever to receive this award. He has composed over 50 original works, including a five-movement suite for piano trio.
More to Come in the 2025 Rising Star Series
The BU Tanglewood Institute continues the series on the ensuing two Tuesdays, with vocalist Laura Anglade and pianist Ben Rosemblum on July 22, and pianist Brandon Goldberg on July 29. We’ll have details on those events as they approach.