Rockwell Shapiro

Born in Chicago, Illinois, Rockwell’s earliest musical experiences came from studying classical piano. Rockwell’s first role-model was his mother, a pianist herself, who immersed Rockwell in the sounds of Beethoven, Mozart and Bartók. As he began expanding his musical palate, Rockwell became enamored with jazz music, drawing inspiration from local legends emerging as international jazz sensations — Joel Ross, Marquis Hill and Makaya McCraven, to name a few.

Now working in Baltimore as a pianist, composer, and music educator, his music delves into a wide variety of styles from all corners of the globe, including Brazilian, hip hop, Afro-Caribbean, rock and electronic music. His compositions have received great recognition, including an honorable mention for the Herb Alpert Young Composers Award, and have been performed by jazz greats like Kris Funn, Allison Miller and Tim Green.

Playing across the world — from Shenzhen to Paris to New York — he’s had the privilege of playing beside jazz greats like David Sanchez, Mike Rodriguez and Charanee Wade. In 2025, Rockwell was awarded the Jazz Camp West Fellowship. It sponsors one rising artist under thirty to hone their skills as an artist in La Honda, California, where he worked side-by-side with legendary pianist Orrin Evans.

When he’s not behind a piano, Rockwell works as a community organizer, fighting for police reform and economic justice in Baltimore. Alongside his studies at the Peabody Conservatory, he simultaneously studies Political Science at Johns Hopkins University. In 2024, he was awarded the Hugh Hawkins Research Fellowship, conducting archival research and oral interviews to illustrate how jazz and other Black musical styles gained recognition in primarily-white classical conservatories.