For those not in the know, Francesca Prihasti is an Indonesian-born, New York–based jazz pianist and composer, known for her lyrical touch and sophisticated compositions. A graduate of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and NYU, she has studied with jazz luminaries including Kevin Hays, Alan Broadbent, and Ari Hoenig.

Her critically acclaimed albums — Adriana, Night Trip, and Evolving — feature top-tier New York musicians and have been praised by DownBeat, Paste Magazine, All About Jazz, and ABC Jazz. Paste named her among “12 Women Influencing the Future of Jazz,” and SFJAZZ highlighted her as a rising instrumentalist to watch.

Her brand new album is entitled Beneath the Sun (due out January 15th, 2026) and is a dedication to her beautiful daughter Marie Francesca Vardanega and son Maximilian Joseph Vardanega.

“The sun is warm and gentle. It brightens the day and helps life grow. But it also reveals what is hidden in the dark. I remember sunlight streaming through a window, suddenly exposing dust and debris I hadn’t noticed before.”

“When my children were born, something within me shifted. My old self faded, and I became someone new. Motherhood has been a spiritual awakening. an ongoing process of growth, challenge, and grace. It has helped me confront and overcome old patterns.”

“More than anything, it has been a profound gift: the privilege of experiencing a deep, unique bond with each of my children. A love that teaches, humbles, and transforms.” - Francesca Prihasti

1. In Between (05:57)
2. Beneath the Sun (04:27)
3. Reason and Will (05:37)
4. Leura (05:18)
5. Till We Have Faces (03:31)
6. Unanswered Question (05:13)
7. Fortitude (04:58)

With Francesca’s compositions liberally sprinkled with tenaciously emboldened piano melodies along with moments of sincere, and thought-provoking reflection, her new recording opens on the flourishingly upbeat and joyous In Between and the luxuriantly supple Beneath the Sun and then we are gifted the light and airy summer breeze of Reason and Will, the upright bass-led Leura, the saxophone-hued elegance of Till We Have Faces, the set rounding out on the gently impassioned tempo of Unanswered Question, coming to a close on the all-embracing nature of Fortitude.

PLAYERS: INSTRUMENT:
Francesca Prihasti (piano)
Nic Vardanega (guitar)
Drew Gress (bass)
Mark Ferber (drums)
Nick Brust (alto and soprano saxophone)