BIOGRAPHY
Pritesh Walia is an award-nominated jazz guitarist, composer, educator, and bandleader from New Delhi, India. Deeply rooted in both Eastern and Western musical traditions, Pritesh began studying Indian Classical Music at the age of 13 before embarking on a lifelong pursuit of jazz and contemporary music. His unique musical voice blends modern jazz, improvisation, world music influences, and sophisticated composition into a sound that is both adventurous and accessible.
Pritesh holds an Associate Degree from the Musicians Institute College of Contemporary Music, a Bachelor’s Degree in Contemporary Jazz Performance and Jazz Composition from Berklee College of Music, and a Master’s Degree in Jazz Performance from the New England Conservatory. Throughout his studies, he worked closely with some of the most respected musicians and educators in the world, developing a deep understanding of jazz performance, composition, orchestration, and improvisation.
As a performer, Pritesh has appeared on stages throughout North and South America, India, and Europe, conducting masterclasses, clinics, and performances internationally. He has served as an educator at prestigious institutions including Bunker Hill Community College, Brookline Music School, Excelsia University (Sydney), and has been featured as a guest educator at the internationally renowned Panama Jazz Festival, where he presented masterclasses alongside some of the most respected artists in contemporary jazz.
In recognition of his artistic achievements, Pritesh was nominated for Best Jazz Artist of the Year at the Boston Music Awards, joining a distinguished group of artists recognized for their contributions to the jazz community. His work has also been featured in prominent publications including DownBeat, Jazziz, and Jazz Guitar Today.
An active recording artist, Pritesh released his debut guitar trio album, Hope Town, in 2024. The record showcases his original compositions and modern approach to the jazz guitar trio tradition. In 2026, he will release a large-scale collaborative project with the Henry Godfrey Jazz Orchestra, featuring internationally acclaimed artists including Aaron Parks, Jerry Bergonzi, and Godwin Louis. The album is scheduled for release on July 31, 2026 and represents Pritesh’s most ambitious compositional project to date.
Looking ahead, Pritesh is preparing the release of Pritesh Walia & Strings, a chamber-jazz project featuring original compositions for guitar and string ensemble, scheduled for release in 2027. The project further expands his artistic vision by combining contemporary jazz language with cinematic textures and orchestral writing.
Beyond his work as a performer and composer, Pritesh is a passionate educator whose online courses, masterclasses, and private mentorship programs have reached students worldwide. His teaching philosophy emphasizes creativity, musical freedom, and a practical understanding of jazz language, helping musicians bridge the gap between theory and artistic expression.
Pritesh has studied with and been mentored by distinguished artists including Scott Henderson, Donny McCaslin, Jason Moran, Miguel Zenón, Tomo Fujita, and many others. Throughout his career, he has collaborated and shared the stage with leading figures in jazz including Bob Sheppard, Donny McCaslin, and members of major contemporary jazz ensembles.
Currently based in Los Angeles, California, Pritesh continues to perform internationally while pursuing an expanding catalog of projects spanning solo guitar, chamber music, organ trio, big band composition, and modern jazz performance.
Walia is endorsed by some of the most respected companies in the music industry, including Collings Guitars, LAVA Music, O Guitars, D'Addario, and Chicken Picks.
Through his work as a performer, composer, educator, and bandleader, Pritesh Walia continues to build an international presence while exploring new creative possibilities across jazz, orchestral music, chamber music, and improvisation. His artistic vision is rooted in a profound respect for tradition while continually seeking new ways to expand the language of contemporary music.
