By AnaMaria Bech. Photos Courtesy of Vincent Hsu.

The acclaimed Double Bass Jazz Player from Taiwan is the special guest during the New Orleans Jazz Museum's Improvisation Gala.

Vincent Hsu's musical journey has been a fascinating blend of cultural influences and a dedication to his craft. Born and raised in Taiwan, Hsu's deep connection with jazz was ignited by a memorable encounter with Cecil McBee, leading him to pursue a music career. 

Until then, Hsu followed a traditional life path in Taiwan, serving his country’s army and obtaining an undergraduate degree in business. In 2002, he moved to New York to get a master's degree in TESOL at The City College of the City University of New York (CCNY). Using his connection to Mcbee, Hsu began studying acoustic bass with his mentor and other great musicians in the New York Latin Jazz musical scene, such as Victor Venegas and Andy González. Hsu became the first beginner classical music student of John Schaeffer, the former Principal Bassist for the New York Philharmonic, and entered the undergraduate jazz program at CCNY at 27 to learn the bass in depth. He later obtained his master's in Jazz Performance at NYU.

In his eight years living in New York, the double bass player performed in the most iconic venues, learned about African and Caribbean musical influences, played with music legends, and founded his bands, the Jazz Supreme Orchestra and Soy La Ley, becoming part of New York’s Spanish Harlem musical legacy. He was humbled when he discovered the spiritual connection between the Yoruba and the batá in his travels to Cuba and studying with Yagbe Awolowo Onilu, Pedro Pablo Rodríguez Mireles, Daniel Rodriguez, and Mauricio Herrera Tamayo. 

Upon his return to Taiwan, Hsu embraced the role of a cultural ambassador, using his music to bridge cultural gaps and promote jazz on a global scale. His mission to put Asian and Taiwanese jazz musicians on the map is a source of pride for many.

The universality of music is evident in Vincent Hsu's work, which reflects a blend of Afro-Cuban rhythms with jazz and is still influenced by Taiwanese compositions. Hsu's latest album, "Music for the River Jazz Suite: The Spirit of Love River & Mississippi River," recorded live at the Weiwuying Recital Hall in Kaohsiung, is a testament to his musical vision. The album's title is a tribute to the rivers that have shaped his musical journey: the Love River in Kaohsiung and the Mississippi River. Released on the New York-based label Truth Revolution Records, the album has garnered widespread acclaim and has been chosen as Editors’ Picks in DownBeat magazine with a 4-star review. It symbolizes a real connection between his Taiwanese roots growing up by the Love River in Kaohsiung and his experiences along the Mississippi River and performing in Memphis, New Orleans, and Nashville. 

 “As a musician who is passionate about Afro-Cuban music, New Orleans' Jazz brings me back to the roots of this art form; meanwhile, its Latin footprints also become an important part of developing my musical language of a fusion of jazz, Afro-Cuban rhythms, and my Taiwanese roots,” says Hsu about the influence of New Orleans Jazz, highlighting the importance of cultural exchange in jazz.

Hsu's commitment to jazz extends beyond performance. He's passionate about education and cultural exchange and actively promotes jazz in Taiwan and internationally. His efforts have not gone unnoticed; he has been instrumental in putting Asian jazz on the global stage, and his work has contributed to greater recognition of Taiwanese jazz musicians. He continues to inspire a new generation of jazz enthusiasts.

Now, Hsu returns to New Orleans to perform with his band Soy La Ley at the New Orleans Jazz Museum's Improvisation Gala on December 7th. This performance, part of a collaboration between the Jazz Museum and the Taiwanese Ministry of Culture, highlights Hsu's role as a cultural ambassador, bridging the gap between Taiwanese and American jazz. “Visiting New Orleans feels like going home spiritually, and it humbles me each time to respect the history of New Orleans and its musical traditions,” says Hsu about his return to New Orleans.

 The performance will feature a unique blend of Afro-Cuban rhythms and jazz, with Hsu's signature Taiwanese influences. He will also lead a Latin Jazz drumming workshop at the museum the previous day, December 6, providing invaluable insights and inspiration to the participants. This will be followed by a performance later that evening at Snug Harbor.

Click here for tickets to see Vincent Hsu at the New Orleans Jazz Museum Improvisations Gala.