Born in Paris, pianist and composer Pierre Hurel was first discovered by Paris Jazz Conservatory’s founder and director Charles Henry. At age 20, as he was about to reluctantly start a career in business, Hurel decided to change course and enrolled at the School of Modern Music in Paris. Six months later, he came to Boston for a summer session at the Berklee College of Music and has remained here ever since.
Jazz journalist Virginia Schaefer wrote in AllAboutJazz.com: ”Hurel's compositions and playing show the influence of European classical music, particularly of the romantic and impressionistic eras. In his playing, Hurel projects a natural grace, easygoing on the surface but precise and focused at the core.” A few years ago, Mr. Hurel was described by the Boston Globe's David Wildman as "The extraordinary-local-but-Paris-born pianist." Over the last few years, Pierre Hurel's reputation has continued to grow and his trio made the Boston Globe's short list of the 10 Best Shows of 2003 along side Norah Jones and Dave Brubeck, among others. Reviewing one of his performances, Steve Greenlee wrote in the Boston Globe "Hurel is one of Boston's real gems. His style is impressionistic and adventurous, coming off somewhere between Bill Evans and Keith Jarrett ... The Pierre Hurel Trio is Boston's most sensitive working group."