Kris Tokarski – Piano
Sunday, November 15, 2026 at 2pm
Community Arts Center
414 Plush Mill Road
Wallingford, PA 19086
New Orleans pianist Kris Tokarski appeared once before at Tri-State, with a band led by Dan Levinson. This time it’s a solo performance that is sure to feature legendary NOLA composers like Jelly Roll Morton and King Oliver. Originally from North Jersey, Kris has been a go-to pianist in the Crescent City for many years. He has appeared at many festivals and jazz cruises.
Visit Kris's website
Background
Born and raised just outside of New York City, in East Rutherford, New Jersey, KrisTokarski was lucky enough to be exposed to classical music, jazz, and traditional Hungarian music from his family as a young child.
Kris attended and completed his bachelor's degree at Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. While attending Berklee, he would make regular pilgrimages back to New York to study with bebop master, Barry Harris.
In 2011, Tokarski moved to New Orleans to complete a master's degree at the University of New Orleans. Shortly after moving to the "Cradle of Jazz" he embraced the early piano traditions of the city as well as those of the early New York and Chicago masters. A keen interest in the music of Jelly Roll Morton, James P. Johnson, Earl Hines and Teddy Wilson; combined with his bebop roots allowed Tokarski to develop an all encompassing voice of his own, deeply rooted in the jazz piano tradition.
“Just One of Those Things” at the Barry Harris Workshop, NYC, February 2020
Jazz Meets Classical at Filioli Gardens, Woodside, CA, July 29, 2012 with bassist Nicki Parrott