“The piano ain't got no wrong notes”
— Thelonious Monk
Dimitri Nassar is a pianist, composer, and music educator from East Cleveland, Ohio, whose musical journey began at age five under the guidance of his father, piano tuner Ivan Nassar. His early training at the Cleveland Music School Settlement and the Cleveland Institute of Music—studying with noted jazz pianist Cliff Habian—shaped a foundation that continues to guide his artistic voice.
A graduate of South Carolina State University and Anderson University, Dimitri was inducted into SCSU’s Jazz Hall of Fame in 1995. He has appeared at major festivals including the Tri-C JazzFest, Lakeland Jazz Festival, Count Basie Jazz Festival, DC Jazz Fest, and the National Cherry Blossom Festival. As a bandleader, he has led performances at Blues Alley (DC), An Die Musik (Baltimore), and Treelawn Music Hall (Cleveland). His trio was a finalist in the 2009 Chick Webb Jazz Competition.
A respected educator, he has taught more than 1,000 pianists and is a National Board Certified Teacher. He is the founder of Crescent Piano Studio and Executive Director of Black Keys Matter Incorporated.
Dimitri’s third album, America in the Key of Black, arrives in March 2025. His fourth release, Dear Cleveland—recorded live in his hometown—will be released in January 2026.
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