Randal Corsen

Randal Corsen is an award-winning pianist, composer, and arranger whose music bridges continents and cultures. Born in Curaçao and rooted in its rich musical traditions, Corsen has built a career defined by versatility – effortlessly weaving together jazz, classical, and Afro-Caribbean influences to create a voice entirely his own.

Celebrated both at home and abroad, Corsen gained international recognition with his debut album Evolushón, which earned him the Edison Jazz Award – one of the Netherlands’ most prestigious music honors. The project included collaborations with artists such as David Sánchez and Leonardo Amuedo, setting the tone for a career filled with genre-defying work.

Corsen’s musical journey has taken him to stages around the world, from the North Sea Jazz Festival to performances alongside legends like Paquito D’Rivera, Roy Hargrove, and Horacio “El Negro” Hernández. Yet his connection to heritage runs deep: he is a direct descendant of Curaçaoan poet and composer Joseph Sickman Corsen, and has honored that legacy through both performance and composition.

In 2013, he broke new ground as the composer of Katibu di Shon, the first and only opera sung completely in Papiamentu. Developed in collaboration with mezzo-soprano Tania Kross and based on a novel by Carel de Haseth, the opera boldly explored themes of slavery, identity, and cultural memory.

Today, Randal Corsen continues to innovate – releasing new music, mentoring young musicians, and championing the stories of his island through sound.