Announcing the Winners of the Pianote Awards!

It’s the moment you’ve been waiting for: your votes are in and we’re ready to announce the winners of the 2024 Pianote Awards!

Thanks to you, we can acknowledge and showcase some of the most accomplished players in the piano community this year.

From skilled virtuosos and teachers to inspiring and talented entertainers, we put 45 amazing pianists on the ballot—and you submitted over 20,000 votes for the ones you thought deserved the most recognition.

Scroll down to find out who won, or learn about the 2024 Pianote Awards nominees.

And if you missed the awards show live stream, you can rewatch it right here:

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Your 2024 Winners

Pianist Of The Year: Jon Batiste

The Pianist of the Year is chosen for their professional achievement, exceptional artistry, technical ability, and impact on the music scene and piano community.

Your vote was heard loud and clear: Jon Batiste was your favorite.

In 2024, he released Beethoven Blues and Saturday Night (Original Score), premiered his first piano concerto, won ASCAP’s Documentary Score of the Year, and launched his first headlining tour.

Pop Pianist Of The Year: Clyde Lawrence

Pop pianists must show up night after night delivering outstanding performances, and the winner of this award is chosen for their success both live and/or in the studio crafting today’s new hits.

Clyde Lawrence had an impressive year with his band, Lawrence, which released their fourth studio album, Family Business, for which they embarked on an international tour.

Classical Pianist Of The Year: Yunchan Lim

Classical piano demands a high level of skill, and the recipient of this award is chosen for their extraordinary contributions to the classical music world.

In 2024, Yunchan Lim had a successful year that included a Carnegie Hall debut, a BBC Proms appearance, and a Chopin Études album release. He was also named Gramophone‘s Young Artist of the Year

Jazz Pianist Of The Year: Jesús Molina

Jazz piano requires a profound understanding of the masters who came before, and this year’s winner is truly at the peak of their craft.

Jesús Molina is a world-class jazz pianist who released Selah in 2024, an album brimming with jazz fusion, Latin influences, and spiritual themes, inspiring musicians worldwide.

Contemporary Pianist Of The Year: Jonah Nilsson

The recipient of this award is chosen for their musical virtuosity, effortlessly blending elements of musical genres to transcend stylistic boundaries.

Jonah Nilsson, best known as a founding member of the jazz fusion band Dirty Loops, played a key role in the release of their album Beagle, which features standout tracks like “Run Away” and “When The Time Is Right.”

Social Media Pianist Of The Year: Loren DiGiorgi

The recipient of this award is chosen for their exceptional success over the past year, gaining recognition across social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

With a flair for playing songs backwards, blending classical with jazz, and mashing up composers, DiGiorgi brings a unique comedic twist to music. In 2024, he released several improvisational and jazz-inspired tracks, including “Meandering.”

YouTube Pianist Of The Year: Frank Tedesco

The YouTube Pianist of the Year Award honors a pianist or keyboardist on YouTube who has demonstrated outstanding achievement over the past year.

Frank Tedesco is known for his immersive arrangements of video game and anime soundtracks, as well as his live streams on Twitch. He released two singles—”Echoes of the Heart” and “Evermotion”—demonstrating his skillful blend of classical and contemporary piano styles.

Original Composition Of The Year: Jon Batiste “Für Elise – Reverie”

Listen to the Song

The Original Composition of the Year Award recognizes exceptional artistry, creativity, and impact of a piano or keyboard-focused work of any genre from the past year.

In 2024, Batiste released Beethoven Blues, an album reimagining Beethoven’s works with blues and gospel influences. A highlight from this album is his original composition “Für Elise – Reverie,” blending classical motifs with contemporary styles

Most Inspiring Pianist Of The Year: Elijah Stevens

The recipient of this award has made a profound impact on the piano community, inspiring others and breaking barriers with their exceptional contributions over the past year.

Elijah Stevens made history as the first Bahamian to earn an Artist Diploma from the Glenn Gould School. In 2024, he achieved a milestone debut at Carnegie Hall, showcasing his virtuosity and artistry to critical acclaim.

Oscar Peterson Legacy Award: Billy Joel

The Oscar Peterson Award honors exceptional contributions to music, recognizing individuals who exemplify talent, dedication, and influence in their careers. Named after the legendary Canadian pianist and composer, this award celebrates those who, like Peterson, have left a lasting impact on the musical world.

Regarded as one of the greatest jazz pianists of all time, Peterson’s virtuosity and ability to blend classical techniques with jazz set a standard for musicians globally. As a Canadian company, we proudly celebrate our cultural heritage through his remarkable legacy in jazz.

Through an in-house panel, we selected Billy Joel to receive this award for his unparalleled contributions to music. As a timeless icon, his mastery of songwriting, piano performance, and genre-blending creativity has influenced generations of musicians and captivated audiences worldwide, cementing his enduring legacy in the music world.

Thanks so much for voting, sharing, and participating in the Pianote Awards—you’ve helped us honor and showcase some of today’s most impactful and hardworking pianists. Together, we’ve highlighted the incredible talent shaping the future of music.

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