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The first Taiwanese jazz pianist to be listed in the Steinway hall of fame: Jo-Yu Chen signed an exclusive artist contract with Sony Music Taiwan

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Jazz pianist Jo-Yu Chen, who has long made New York her home, was recently shortlisted as Steinway Artist and thus becoming the first Taiwanese jazz pianist to obtain this honor. At the end of 2010, she was featured prominently in the coverage of two American heavyweight jazz magazines: Downbeat and Jazziz. In addition to being featured in an exclusive interview on the March issue of Downbeat, her original jazz piano trio piece “Tears" was also included in the spring issue compilation CD of Jazziz for global distribution. As Chen is beginning to establish herself in New York's jazz scene, she has opted to sign album distribution and artist management contract with Sony Music Taiwan.

At once a pianist and a composer, Chen will release her first Sony album entitled Obsession in spring 2011. Obsession was produced by Chen's mentor and Grammy-nominated maestro Sam Yahel (who has participated in Joshua Redman's Grammy-dominated album Momentum and in Norah Jones' award-winning Come Away With Me. The album contains some of Chen's highly personalized original pieces, five covers of jazz standards, and Chen's poetic rendition of the famed Taiwan folk tune “Waiting for Spring Breeze." Bursting with improvisational verve and virtuosic musicianship, the album captured the attention of heavyweight jazz magazines Downbeat and Jazziz. Chen is featured prominently in an interview on the March issue of Downbeat and in the CD review of Jazziz. Chen's original track “Tears" from her upcoming album is included in the spring issue compilation CD of Jazziz. Chen plans to release her first post-Sony new recording album in autumn this year.

Regarding her collaboration with Sony Music Taiwan, Chen said, “I'm honored to join the big family of Sony Music. I'm very grateful towards the acknowledgment of Sony greater China's President Adam, his global vision, and the freedom he has given me in creating music. These are the main reasons I joint Sony Music. I hope my music can spread to every corner in the world as propelled by the global resources behind Sony Music."

Sony Music's greater China President Adam Tsuei said, “I'm very glad to sign a contract with such a talented jazz musician like Jo-Yu Chen. We will position her as an international musician who will be promoted in New York, Taiwan and various other oversea markets. In addition, we also plan to create eclectic collaboratory channels with Chen in addition to recording and live performance."

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