Monique Chao

Monique Chao (jazz composer, pianist, vocalist, educator) Taiwanese/Italian

Published CDs (of which as composer and producer):
Mode for Mò by Monique Chao Jazz Quartet (Feeling Good Music, Taiwan 2021)
Water Shapes by Subconscious Trio (Da Vinci Publishing, Italy and Japan 2022) rewarded as 3-star album by Jazz Magazine in France, 2022.
Time Chamber by Monique Chao Jazz Orchestra (Da Vinci Publishing, Italy and Japan 2024) * reward as 4.5 stars album by Downbeat Jazz Magazine (Oct, 2024. USA)
Selected as “Best Album of 2024” by Downbeat Jazz Magazine (Jan, 2025. USA)
Highly marked jazz composer by Musica Jazz magazine in Italy. (Nov, 2024. Italy)

Degrees:
Taipei University of the Arts in Taiwan; obtained bachelor and master degrees in Classical vocals.
Conservatory of G. Verdi in Milan, Italy, majored in jazz piano as 1st degree.
Conservatory of G. Verdi in Milan, Italy, majored in jazz piano as 2st degree, graduated with (110/110 e lode, plus special mention by the faculties).

Projects:
Monique Chao Jazz Quartet (bandleader, composer, vocalist)
Subconscious Trio (pianist, composer)
Chaologists Quartet (pianist, composer)
Monique Chao Jazz Orchestra (bandleader, composer, conductor)

Collaborated, commissioned CDs:
Live at Yuchen Cinema Studios by Taipei Professional Orchestra (2021, Taiwan)
The Sound behind the Glass by Gen Cotena (2022, Italy)
Colors by Decator Jazz Band led by Jeff Chang (2023, USA)
Flying over the Clouds by Verdi Jazz Orchestra led by Pino Jodice, featuring Emanuele Cisi (2024, Abeat Records, Italy)

As educator:
Cpsm- Milan Conservatory Evening Course jazz big band instructor (Milan, Italy)
Sizhukong Jazz Music Academy big band arranging/composing instructor (remote course, Taipei, Taiwan)

Awards:
Lugano Music Competition as 1st place of orchestra composer (2020, Switzerland)
Barga Jazz Festival 2nd finalist as big band composer (2021, Italy)
Barga Jazz Festival 2nd finalist as big band composer (2023, Italy)
One Song String Orchestra winner commission composer (2023, Taiwan)
Barga Jazz Festival 2nd finalist as big band arranger (2024, Italy)
Music Award Premio 4e3, CasmeneFest24 as winner jazz big band (2024, Italy)

Wesites:
www.moniquechao.com
www.subconscioustrio.com

Monique Chao, Kit Downes, Kurt Elling, Ben Kono & More

by Ludovico Granvassu
November 2, 2024

Henry Hey, Kurt Elling and Kit Downes provide the thread of today's set, which also focuses on the large ensembles led by Monique Chao, Ben Kono and Rob Mazurek.Happy listening!Playlist Ben Allison “Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash & Pyeng Threadgill)" 0:00 Monique Chao Jazz Orchestra “Chester Is Boss" Time Chamber (Da Vinci) 0:16 Host talks 8:52 Ben Kono “Sansei" Voyages (Self-produced) 10:46 Forq “Va!" Big Party (GroundUp) 17:20 Host talks 23:17 Kurt Elling, Sullivan Fortner ...

Downbeat Magazine October 2024. Time Chamber - Monique Chao Jazz Orchestra rewarded as 4.5 stars album. "Taiwan-born, Milan resident Monique Chao... debuts her accomplished 18-piece orchestra on Time Chamber (Da Vinci; ****½ 62:03), an impressively individualistic and imaginative 2023 recital comprising eight cohesive, tonally venture-some...with Monk, Sam Rivers, Butch Morris, Anthony Braxton, Thad Jones and Horace Silver - unfailingly deployed towards melodic, storytelling imperatives. Chao imitates none of the aforementioned voices, but their iconoclasm permeates the flow..." Ted Panken