Excerpted in part from New York Weekly(click here for link) 

 

In the world-renowned music hub of New York, Yu-Chen Tseng has secured a prominent position in the music scene through his distinctive musical style, exceptional talent, and unwavering dedication. Born in Taiwan, Yu-Chen Tseng is a versatile artist proficient in piano, violin, composition, and arrangement. His jazz performances exhibit profound classical techniques, while his musical compositions seamlessly blend tradition with innovation. His unique musical style is marked by unforgettable moments, leaving a lasting impression on listeners.

 

Yu-Chen’s exposure to music began at an early age, starting piano lessons at five and violin lessons at seven. Possessing perfect pitch, he intricately and precisely controls the accuracy, timbre, and technical variations of each note. He has consistently achieved championship and accolades in numerous major music competitions. In 2017, Yu-Chen enrolled in the National Taiwan University of Arts for a degree in classical violin performance. Fueled by his passion for jazz, he embarked on in-depth studies and research in jazz piano. In 2021, having completed his classical violin performance degree, he boldly stepped out of his comfort zone and moved to New York in 2022 to pursue jazz studies, further enhancing his artistic prowess, culminating in the attainment of a master’s degree in jazz piano performance the following year.

 

As an Asian jazz musician, Yu-Chen has actively engaged in the vibrant New York music scene, gaining recognition from industry professionals and a widespread global audience. His notable collaborations include performances with the Tzu-Chi Young Orchestra at Carnegie Hall, a violin rendition of the U.S. national anthem before an NBA game, and a jazz solo piano performance in collaboration with the renowned piano brand Steinway & Sons at John F. Kennedy International Airport. Additionally, he led a jazz band performance during the Lunar New Year and Taiwan Orchid Festival at the Queens Botanical Garden.

 

In May 2023, Yu-Chen had the honor of representing Taiwan, being invited to perform at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO). Also serving as an arranger, he showcased his jazz-adapted Taiwanese folk classics, blending Eastern and Western cultures before an international audience, conveying his profound musical expertise and passion, fostering a closer global connection to Taiwan.

 

In terms of composition, Yu-Chen’s musical style seamlessly fuses traditional jazz with classical elements, captivating the public’s ears with unique composition and arrangement techniques, creating memorable and evocative pieces.Yu Chen's debut jazz album "Gratitude Voyage: Embarking" was released in January 2024.

 

Throughout his musical journey, Yu-Chen has had the privilege of collaborating with some of the brightest stars in the jazz world. Collaborations with National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Jazz Master George Coleman, Jazz Legendary Bassist Rufus Reid ,Grammy Award winner Luis Perdomo and Grammy-nominated Antonio Hart have enriched his jazz repertoire, expanding his musical horizons and solidifying his position as a rising star in the jazz domain.

 

Yu-Chen’s musical prowess continues to shine, drawing audiences and redefining the boundaries of jazz. Rooted in Taiwan but with his heart in New York, he represents the cross-cultural spirit of this dynamic city’s music scene. As this exceptionally talented artist continues to push the boundaries of musical creation, his mastery of performance and composition is increasingly deserving of global attention.

 

在世界著名的音樂樞紐紐約，曾郁程憑藉其獨特的音樂風格、卓越的才華和堅定的奉獻，成功地在音樂界佔據了一個卓越的地位。郁程出生於台灣，是一位多才多藝的藝術家，精通鋼琴、小提琴、作曲和編曲。他的爵士表演展現了深厚的古典技巧，而他的音樂作品巧妙地融合了傳統和創新。他獨特的音樂風格充滿令人難忘的瞬間，給聽眾留下了深刻的印象。

 

郁程對音樂的接觸始於幼年，五歲開始學習鋼琴，七歲開始學習小提琴。擁有絕對音感的他，能夠精密地掌控每個音符的準確性、音色和技術變化。他在許多音樂比賽中屢次獲取佳績。2017年，郁程進入國立臺灣藝術大學攻讀古典小提琴演奏學位。受到對爵士的熱愛驅使，他深入研究和探索了爵士鋼琴。2021年，完成古典小提琴演奏學位後，他大膽地跳出自己的舒適圈，於2022年移居紐約攻讀爵士研究，進一步提升他的藝術才華，並在隨後的一年中獲得了爵士鋼琴演奏碩士學位。

 

作為一位亞洲爵士音樂家，郁程在紐約積極參與各式演出音樂，獲得了業內專業人士和全球觀眾的認可。合作包括在紐約卡內基音樂廳與慈濟青年管弦樂團的演出，NBA比賽前小提琴開場表演，以及在紐約甘迺迪國際機場與著名鋼琴品牌史坦威合作的爵士鋼琴獨奏。此外，他還在紐約皇后植物園的農曆新年節及台灣蘭花節上帶領爵士樂隊演出。

 

在2023年5月，郁程有幸代表台灣應邀在駐紐約台北經濟文化辦事處（TECO）演出。身兼演奏家及編曲家，他改編了台灣民謠經典並以爵士樂呈現，將東方和西方文化融合在國際觀眾面前，傳達了他深厚的音樂專業知識和激情，促進了與台灣更緊密的全球聯繫。

 

在作曲方面，郁程的音樂風格巧妙地融合了傳統爵士和古典元素，以獨特的創作和編曲技巧迷住了公眾的耳朵，創造出令人難忘和引人入勝的作品。郁程的首張個人爵士創作專輯“Gratitude Voyage : Embarking"於2024年1月發行

 

在郁程的音樂生涯中，有幸與爵士界一些最璀璨的明星合作。與國家藝術基金會（NEA）爵士大師George Coleman、爵士傳奇大師Rufus Reid ,葛萊美得主Luis Perdomo和葛萊美提名者Antonio Hart的合作擴展了他的音樂視野，鞏固了他在爵士領域崛起的地位。

 

郁程的音樂才華吸引著觀眾，重新定義了爵士的界限。扎根於台灣但心繫紐約，他代表了這個充滿跨文化精神的城市音樂場景。隨著這位極具才華的藝術家繼續挑戰音樂創作的極限，他的表演和作曲的精湛技藝日益值得全球關注。