Pascal Le Boeuf is an American composer, jazz pianist, and electronic artist. His track “Strands” from the album “Are We Dreaming the Same Dream” with the Akropolis Reed Quintet and Christian Euman won the Grammy for Best Instrumental Composition at the 2025 Grammys last night (more detail and video below)
His innovative works blend modern improvisation with production-based technology. He has toured with D’Angelo for the ‘Black Messiah’ tour and joined Clean Bandit’s ‘Rather Be’ tour alongside pop artist Meg Mac. Collaborations such as his piano trio, “Pascal’s Triangle” with bassist Linda May Han Oh and drummer Justin Brown show his versatility. His compositions have garnered support from major organizations, and he has received multiple accolades, including Grammy nominations and a Guggenheim Fellowship. Currently, he teaches Music and Technology at Vanderbilt University and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Music Composition at Princeton. Pascal and his partner, composer Molly Herron, have two children, aged three and one.
UK Jazz News: What is the best advice you received about balancing/juggling parenthood and career?
Pascal Le Boeuf: “Make the most of your time: when you spend time with your child, be fully present with them; when you have time to yourself, be efficient. Even 15 minutes is enough time to compose a few bars of music.” (Coming from a combination of Terence Blanchard and Steve Mackey advice).
It takes a village to raise a child. You can ask for help. If you are fortunate enough to have friends or family members willing to come to you to assist with childcare, it may be necessary to ask them for help in order for you or your partner to engage in professional work. If my partner or I want to go on tour, premiere an orchestra piece, or make a record out of town, we rely on our parents to help out by either accompanying us with the kids or visiting one of us at home to assist while the other is away.
Before saying “yes” to professional opportunities, I first have to make sure my partner and our support network are on board. Sometimes it doesn’t work and that’s ok—saying “no” to an opportunity just means you are a supportive parent/partner and people (who matter) will understand and respect your choices.
UKJN: What information or advice do you wish you’d received but didn’t (and had to learn through trial and error or on the go)?
PLB: First, I want to mention that I am fortunate to have a wonderful and supportive partner (Molly Herron) who is also a musician and understands the many challenges of balancing parenting and career. In the initial whirlwind of breastfeeding and poopy diapers I thought I was being an equal partner by constantly asking Molly “what can I do to help?” I was afraid of doing something wrong and wanted her to be happy, so I would ask to be sure I was “doing it right” or “doing the right thing”. I think a lot of men do this because it is what is modeled for us in society. The problem with this was it put Molly in the role of being in charge of parenting decisions, which is not equitable. Eventually something clicked and I realized I could be more supportive by taking initiative regarding decisions, even if Molly and I sometimes disagree on how something should be done. So—Dads especially—be sure you are doing your part and don’t wait to be asked to take initiative as a co-parent. Educate yourself about breastfeeding, bottles, co-sleeping, sleep training, solid foods, developmental stages, so you can initiate conversations about these with your partner.
On a related note, beware the influence of outdated gender stereotypes at every turn. Children’s songs, kids books, Thomas the Tank, and media of all kinds are ready to normalize Daddy working late while Mommy stays at home and does the cooking/bedtime/laundry etc. This can be frustrating. Even if you are a progressive parent, it takes vigilance and critical thinking to recognize the powerful social influences in the world around you, how they affect your family, and how you are going to respond to them.
Helpful Books:
- “Equal Partners: Improving Gender Equality at Home” by Kate Mangino
- “Expecting Better” by Emily Oster (for soon-to-be parents)
UKJN: Your top tip(s) for other parents in jazz:
PLB: If you want to be a parent someday, try to plan far ahead. Imagine the lifestyle you want for yourself and your family, then try to lay the foundation so you can embody it. If you have a partner, be sure to look for the center of a venn diagram that includes both of your priorities.
UKJN: Best general travel/gigging/tour-with-child advice:
PLB: You don’t have to go on tour to be a musician. If you want to be a parent but don’t want to be on tour all year, try to invest in creative processes that aren’t dependent on traveling. For me, it made sense to invest in academia, composition, recording, production and other creative outlets that would allow me to stay at home with my family without feeling creatively or professionally restricted. I can still tour (and I do, especially for album releases) but touring isn’t something I have to do in order to be professionally active or artistically fulfilled. Many of my artistic/parent role models (Geri Allen, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Brad Mehldau) took their kids on the road or spent long periods away from home. I always imagined doing this until I really thought about the challenges (health insurance, stable income, kids going to school, developing consistent routines at home). There are certainly ways to make touring work but it is not a requirement for a thriving career. You are in charge of your own path.
When you do travel/gig with your child(ren), be on the lookout for libraries, museums, parks, kid-friendly restaurants, and other activities so they can play and explore in child-centered settings. Bring a grandparent or a friend on the road to help with childcare if you can. This can make touring feel more like an adventure or an excuse to see a friend/family member that lives far away.
UKJN: What is one way that figures or structures in the jazz industry could better support parents who are working jazz musicians?
PLB: Hire them. Don’t assume they are too busy taking care of the kids to make music. Being a parent can have a profound effect on creativity and should be viewed as an asset.
UKJN: What has surprised you about becoming a parent and remaining engaged with your professional activities and ambitions?
PLB: Composing is easier and improvising feels more purposeful. I was worried I would be unable to maintain my creative work as a parent. This is not the case at all. I have had to change the way I work to be more efficient, which has been a positive development. Now I say “yes” to the first idea rather than cycling through many ideas and losing time.
UKJN: What boundaries have you set for yourself as a parent in jazz (could be related to travel/touring, riders, personal parameters, child care decisions, etc.)?
PLB: I am not taking local gigs until after dinnertime, bathtime, and bedtime. This wasn’t an issue until Molly and I had our second child. It’s a marathon for one parent to manage bedtime for two kids. I have never regretted saying “no” to an opportunity in order to prioritize my family. People will always understand and respect your decision to be a parent first.
Pascal’s latest release was created simultaneously with the arrival of his two children. It is an album-length composition called Are We Dreaming The Same Dream? that examines what Ralph Ellison calls “the unity of American experience” by recognizing musical ancestors — Geri Allen, Dave Brubeck, Charles Mingus, Bill T. Jones, and Leonard Bernstein. The composition asks: Are we really dreaming the same American dream, or is our consumer culture overshadowing our own sense of belonging?
(*) Parents in Jazz was started (first as ‘Mothers In Jazz’) by vocalist Nicky Schrire in August 2022. The initiative aims to create an online resource for jazz industry professionals with children, those contemplating parenthood, and jazz industry figures who work with and hire musicians who are parents. The insight of the musicians and administrators interviewed for this series provides valuable emotional, philosophical and logistical information and support that is easily accessible to all. “Parents In Jazz” shines a light on the very specific role of being both a parent and a performing jazz musician or jazz arts professional.