Bethany Pickens, who began her training under the watchful tutelage of her father, world-class jazz pianist Willie Pickens, is an award-winning pianist, composer, educator, and bandleader. She describes her career and musical outlook as “steeped in tradition, committed to creativity.”

Pickens earned her B.S. Music Ed. degree from the American Conservatory of Music. She has performed and recorded with artists such as Clark Terry, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Branford Marsalis, Patti LaBelle, Josh Groban, and Aretha Franklin. Her passion for education has extended into work with the Ravinia Jazz Scholars Program and Jazz Institute of Chicago’s Jazz Masters Residency Program, as well as 28 years of teaching music in Chicago Public Schools. She ended her teaching career at her alma mater, Kenwood Academy High School, where she inspired countless young musicians.

Bethany now serves on the board of the Jazz Institute of Chicago and as Vice President of the Hyde Park Neighborhood Club.