About James Ezra

James Ezra (James Steinman-Gordon) is a Brooklyn-based pianist and composer whose musical voice blends modern jazz, classical, and contemporary influences. A lifelong musician, he studied vocal music at the renowned LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts. He later earned a scholarship to the prestigious Berklee College of Music, where he completed his degree in Piano Performance and graduated summa cum laude.

James’s original work fuses modern jazz with classical aesthetics, drawing from jazz fusion, modal jazz, musical theatre, opera, Romantic and Impressionist classical music, and the avant-garde. His compositions often take inspiration from poetry and film, such as his art-song cycle Fallen, inspired by the film Wings of Desire. He has presented his work at venues including Public Records, Rockwood Music Hall, The Bitter End, South Oxford Space, The Old Stone House, and The Gallery Players.

As a performer, James has appeared extensively throughout New York City and beyond, collaborating with artists such as T.3, Avangelia, Eugie Castrillo, Thomas Ng, Danny Singh, Satica, Nina Del Río, Vanessa Camacho, Latin Diaspora, Alesloveletters, Richard Perez, and many others. His versatility spans jazz, pop, R&B, cabaret, salsa, rock, musical theatre, Brazilian jazz, fusion, and more.

In addition to composing and performing, James has served as musical director for comedy cabaret productions at The Slipper Room, KGB Bar, and Club Cumming; for the musical Bradaret at Brooklyn Art Haus; and for musical theatre programs at Piper Theatre Productions and The Gallery Players. He is also a Musicals Now Award winner for his original score for Ionut and the Sanziana Seed at Piper Theatre.