Jake Nalangan (2000) is a pianist, composer, and educator from Sacramento, CA. After hearing Oscar Peterson for the fist time, Jake fell in love with jazz, started playing in traditional jazz bands while in middle school. While still in high school he won several awards; including a full scholarship to the Berklee 5 Week summer program and a Downbeat Award for his piano trio. After receiving a full scholarship, Jake attended the University of North Texas where he studied with Dave Meder, Fred Sanders, Quincy Davis, Ed Soph and many others.

While at UNT, Jake was a member of the storied One O’Clock Lab Band, and recorded Lab ’23. After graduating, he was invited to Ravinia Steans Music Institute to study composition with Billy Childs, Rufus Reid, and Steve Wilson. He’s shared the stage with Chris Potter, Kurt Elling, Allison Miller, Arturo Sandoval, Phillip Dizack, Scott Tixier, Camille Thurman, Darmon Meador, Zack Brock, and Wycliffe Gordon. Jake has performed at  venues such as The Jazz Standard, The Monterey Jazz Festival, Jazz at Lincoln Center, The Savannah Jazz Festival, Parker Jazz Club in Austin TX, and Jones Hall with the Houston Symphony. He is the recipient of multiple awards from Downbeat Magazine, including “best small ensemble” for his piano trio in 2018. Jake currently lives in Denton, TX and is an in-demand pianist in the Dallas Fort Worth area. His style remains rooted in the early jazz he grew up playing, strongly influenced by Thelonious Monk, Duke Ellington, and Gerald Clayton.