Cyrus Chestnut (piano) was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. As a boy, he started playing piano at the Calgary Star Baptist Church. Mr. Chestnut gained invaluable ear training from this experience. Chestnut attended the Peabody Conservatory and later studied at the Berklee School of Music in Boston. Mr. Chestnut has performed and recorded with many of today's leading jazz musicians, including: Wynton Marsalis, Jon Hendricks, Vincent Herring, Roy Hargrove, Christian McBride, Terence Blanchard and Donald Harrison, and Courtney Pine. Mr. Chestnut's tenure with vocalist Betty Carter's band proved to be one of his most challenging musical experiences. He worked with Carter for three years, and appeared on her 1992 release It's Not About the Melody. Mr. Chestnut embarked on a solo career with his Atlantic debut Revelations in 1994.

The record topped the Gavin Report, which monitors airplay, for many weeks. He followed this successful debut with The Dark Before The Dawn, was released this past February. Both albums feature Mr. Chestnut in a trio setting which highlights the joyous spirit in his playing.  His 1996 solo album Blessed Quietness, a collection of hymns, spirituals and carols highlights the influence of religious music on his playing.

Mr. Chestnut held the piano chair in the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra during its 1995 summer and fall tours and its 1997 Swingin' the Blues For Count Basie concert, and gave a critically-acclaimed solo recital at Lincoln Center's Stanley Kaplan Penthouse in February 1998.  He appeared with Reginald Veal as part of the Jazz at Lincoln Center "Duets on the Hudson" series in April 2000.