Now a US resident for more than a decade, French native Jean-Michel Pilc taught himself to play piano. After coming to New York, Pilc formed a trio with François Moutin (bass) and drummer Ari Hoenig. The trio became a popular fixture in Big Apple venues such as the Blue Note, Birdland, Knitting Factory, and Sweet Basil.

In 2000 Pilc’s trio released a pair of acclaimed recordings, Jean-Michel Pilc Trio - Together - Live at Sweet Basil, NYC - Vol. 1 & 2 (ARecords). The trio then released Welcome Home in 2002 followed in 2003 by Cardinal Points, which features Jean-Michel's extended work, “Trio Sonata,” created through a grant from Chamber Music America's New Works: Creation and Presentation Program, funded by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. In 2004, Pilc released a solo recording, Follow Me, then came full circle in 2005 with a live trio recording, Live at the Iridium, New York, introducing his new ensemble with Thomas Bramerie on bass and Mark Mondesir on drums. The trio released a follow-up, New Dreams, in 2007.  Pilc’s last two albums were both released in 2011 on the Motema label Essential, a live solo piano recording, and Threedom, featuring his legendary trio with François Moutin & Ari Hoenig, which has re-formed in 2010 under the collective name Pilc Moutin Hoenig. When not performing solo or with his trio, Pilc teaches masterclasses and clinics.