Pianist Mathis Picard to Release The Sound Orchestra

New York City-based composer Mathis Picard will drop his latest album, The Sound Orchestra, on November 6, 2026.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Jazz

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Pianist and composer Mathis Picard will release his new project, The Sound Orchestra, on November 6, 2026, featuring a 14-piece ensemble. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Pianist, composer, and producer Mathis Picard is set to release his upcoming project, The Sound Orchestra, on November 6, 2026. The new record features an ensemble of 14 musicians and follows three years of live performances.

Why it matters

The album showcases the evolution of a project that was meticulously developed on paper and finalized in Sibelius software before reaching the studio. It marks the latest milestone for the Juilliard-trained artist, who has become a prominent fixture in the New York City jazz scene.

The production involved a 14-person band, including 10 horn players, developed over a three-year period of live concert performance. Previous works like Portrait of Lizzy and A Bigger Picture Part One (Truth) are currently available on digital streaming services.

The players

Mathis Picard

He is a New York-based pianist, composer, and producer who studied at Juilliard under the renowned jazz pianist Kenny Barron.

Lillias White

She is an acclaimed performer and actress who officiated the wedding of Mathis Picard and his wife at Dizzy's Jazz Club.

Kenny Barron

He is a celebrated jazz pianist and composer who served as an instructor for Mathis Picard during his time at Juilliard.

Dizzy's Jazz Club

This is a prominent New York City music venue located at Lincoln Center that hosts world-class jazz performances.

The details

Mathis Picard, who studied under Kenny Barron at Juilliard, composed the music for the album manually on paper before finalizing it digitally. The project is planned for both a digital release and a physical vinyl format.

Timeline

  1. November 6, 2026 is the official release date for The Sound Orchestra.

  2. August 21, 2023 was the date Mathis Picard married his wife at Dizzy's Jazz Club.

  3. Ten years ago, Mathis Picard and his wife met in New York City.

Industry Dynamics

The release reflects the ongoing influence of the Juilliard jazz studies program in shaping the formal compositional techniques of contemporary jazz artists. It illustrates a trend where modern bandleaders leverage extended development cycles to refine complex orchestral arrangements before studio production.

Fans will be able to access the album digitally starting November 6, 2026. The artist also intends to make the project available to listeners in a physical vinyl format.

The takeaway

Mathis Picard highlights the importance of extensive live workshopping to polish complex arrangements before a studio recording. Listeners interested in the creative process can look for the upcoming vinyl edition to experience the full scope of the project.

Further reading

For more on the local music scene, visit the Jazz section.

More information

For tour dates and project updates, visit the Mathis Picard tour and project website.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Rolling Out.

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Do you prefer jazz music that is composed specifically for dancing?