Owen Chen

Jazz Guitarist

Owen Chen is a

Guitarist Owen Chen is currently based in New York City, where he is active in the New York jazz scene, and has roots in the San Francisco Bay Area scene, as well as maintaining an active musical internet presence on Instagram.

He went to New York University for his Masters in Music Degree in Jazz Instrumental Performance . He released his debut album "Eternal" in May 2022 with his quintet, comprising of original contemporary jazz compositions. As a classical violinist from the the age of 5 and with 20+ years of musical experience, Owen futhered his musical studies at NYU with world reknowned jazz musicians and leading figures in jazz guitar, having studied privately with Adam Rogers, Peter Bernstein, Alex Sipiagin, John Scofield, Ari Hoenig and more. Owen can be seen performing locally in New York City leading jazz groups in notable venues regularly such as The Red Pavilion, Laissez Faire, Bar Next Door, collaborating with NYC based organizations for private events, and performing in all styles (pop, RnB, musical theater, weddings, worship services).

Originally from San Diego, Owen studied and performed in UC Berkeley's jazz ensembles and California Jazz Conservatory and is an alumni from UC Berkeley with degrees in Computer Science & Cognitive Science. Mentors in the past have included Jeff Massanari, Dann Zinn, Steve Erquiaga, Myra Melford, and Ted Moore. In 2019, Owen was a semi-finalist for the international Wilson Center Jazz Guitar Competition. Owen began music at the age of five, studying classical violin and playing in local symphony orchestras in San Diego. In 2009, he was featured as a guitar soloist for the San Diego Young Artists Orchestra to play “Canon Rock”, the original tune that inspired him to pick up the guitar.

For music booking inquiries, event booking for a jazz trio or quartet, lessons, or collaborations, send an email to music.owenchen@gmail.com .




Studio Ghibli Jazz

Album

Projects





Short Films

Let's Eat (2020)

Let's Eat is an animated short that centers around the relationship of a Chinese-American immigrant family and the unspoken translations of love into food. Owen contributed to this film as an acoustic guitarist for the original soundtrack. More details around this film can be found at www.letseatshortfilm.com


Gigs

Upcoming/Recent performances
26
Oct

Victor Lin Studio Ghibli Sextet @ The Red Pavilion

19
Oct

Victor Lin Quartet @ Redeemer West Side Church

12
Oct

Victor Lin Studio Ghibli Sextet @ The Red Pavilion

5
Oct

Victor Lin Studio Ghibli Sextet @ The Red Pavilion

28
Sept

Owen Chen Quartet @ Land To Sea (Send Chinatown Love fundraiser)

14
Sept

Victor Lin Studio Ghibli Sextet @ The Red Pavilion

11
Sept

Zeju & Owen Duo @ Greats of Crafts LIC

7
Sept

Victor Lin Studio Ghibli Sextet @ The Red Pavilion

1
Sept

Owen Chen Quartet @ Fiction Bar

Quartet
17
Aug

Victor Lin Studio Ghibli Sextet @ The Red Pavilion

Ticket link
10
Aug

Victor Lin Duo @ The Standard Hotel, NYC

Victor Lin, Owen Chen duo.
24
July

Owen Chen Quintet @ Laissez Faire

17
July

Owen Chen Quintet @ Laissez Faire

6
July

Victor Lin Studio Ghibli Quintet @ The Red Pavilion

Studio Ghibli arrangements at The Red Pavilion
22
June

Victor Lin Studio Ghibli Quartet @ The Red Pavilion

Studio Ghibli arrangements at The Red Pavilion
21
June

Diamond Flowers Group @ PinkFrog Cafe

12
June

Owen Chen Quintet @ Laissez Faire

Quintet. Cole Palensky on Tenor Saxophone, Carlin Lee on Piano, Joshua Roberts on drums, Sean Hannon on Bass. https://www.laissezfaire.nyc/
18
May

Owen Chen Quintet @ Red Pavilion (TAP-NY Event)

Original Music from "Eternal" album. TAP-NY and TJCCNY jazz happy hour event. Ticket Link
17
May

Victor Lin Trio @ Chelsea Market (Pearl River Celebration)

15
May

Owen Chen Quartet @ Laissez Faire

7
May

David Fletcher Group @ Marriot Marquis, Times Square

3
May

Owen Chen Quartet @ Land To Sea

25
Apr

Owen Chen & Seoyeon Im Duo @ Hop Lee (Meals for Unity, Send Chinatown Love Supper Club)

Violin and Guitar duo at Meals for Unity x Send Chinatown Love Supper Club. EventBrite ticket link
17
Apr

Owen Chen Quartet @ Laissez Faire

5
Apr

Owen Chen Quartet @ Land To Sea

Owen Chen on Guitar, Sean Hannon on Upright bass, Nathan See on Alto Sax, Felix Ambach on Drums
6
Mar

Owen Chen Quartet @ Laissez Faire

Owen Chen on Guitar, Sean Hannon on Upright bass, Sunhyun Yoo on Alto Sax, Kobi Abcede on Drums. https://www.laissezfaire.nyc/
5
Jan

Owen Chen Quartet @ Land to Sea

Owen Chen on Guitar, Sean Hannon on Upright bass, Sunhyun Yoo on Alto Sax, Avery Logan on Drums
22
Nov

Owen Chen Quartet @ Antidote

Owen Chen on Guitar, Seungmin Jung on Upright bass, Vittorio Mura on Tenor Sax, Rintaro Mikami on Drums
--
Sept

Owen Chen Trio @ Smyth Tavern Tribeca

Weekend brunch residency, trio.
29
Sept

Owen Chen Quartet @ Petes Candy Store

Rintaro Mikami on Drums, Nathan Lee on Sax, Erick Alfaro on Upright bass.
Aug
27

Owen Chen Quartet @ Tipsy Grape

Owen Chen on Guitar, Seungmin Jung on Upright bass, Frank Vitolo on Alto Sax, Rintaro Mikami on Drums
24
May

Owen Chen Quintet (Album Release Concert) @ Rockwood Music Hall, Stage 3

Album release show. Owen Chen on Guitar, Sue Kim on Piano, Sean Hannon on Upright bass, Sunhyun Yoo on Alto Sax, Josh Roberts on Drums Rockwood Music Hall Stage 3
5
DEC

Owen Chen Quintet (Album pre-release) @ Pete's Candy Store

Album pre-release show. Owen Chen on Guitar, Sue Kim on Piano, Sean Hannon on Upright bass, Sunhyun Yoo on Alto Sax, Anton Kot on Drums
5
NOV

Owen Chen Quartet @ The Greats of Craft

Owen Chen on Guitar, Sue Kim on Piano, Sean Hannon on Upright bass, Rinato Mikami on Drums
18
SEPT

Owen Chen Quartet @ The Greats of Craft

Owen Chen on Guitar, Carlin Lee on Piano, Marcelo Maccagnan on Upright bass, Tim Volozh on Drums
11
SEPT

Owen Chen Quartet @ The Greats of Craft

Owen Chen on Guitar, Sue Kim on Piano, Sean Hannon on Upright bass, Rintaro Mikami on Drums
5
JUNE

Owen Chen Trio @ The Greats of Craft

Owen Chen on Guitar, Sean Hannon on Upright bass, Rintaro Mikami on Drums
1
MAY

Owen Chen Trio @ The Greats of Craft

Owen Chen on Guitar, Marcelo MacCagnan on Upright bass, Maxime Choley on Drums
27
MAR

Owen Chen Trio @ The Greats of Craft

Owen Chen on Guitar, Sue Kim on Piano, Warren Louie on Bass
13
MAR

Owen Chen Trio @ The Greats of Craft

Owen Chen on Guitar, Carlin Lee on Piano, Sean Hannon on Bass
11
NOV

Owen Chen Quartet @ Silvana

Owen Chen on guitar, Cole Palensky on Alto Sax, Warren Louie on bass, Josh Farrell on drums.
4
OCT

Owen Chen Quartet @ Club Groove

Owen Chen on guitar, Sue Kim on piano, Sean Hannon on bass, Rishav Acharya on drums. Event Page
30
SEPT

Owen Chen Quartet @ Cafe Wha

Owen Chen on guitar, Sue Kim on piano, Warren Louie on bass, Rishav Acharya on drums.
24
APR

Alan Ferber Ensemble @ Provincetown Playhouse

7
APR

Owen Chen Trio @ Bar Next Door

Owen Chen guitar, Gui Duvignau uprighe bass, Jongkuk Kim drums. Emerging Artists Series.
19
MAR

Owen Chen Trio @ Ottos Shrunken Head

Owen Chen guitar, Jaehyun Cho upright bass, Rishav Acharya drums.
3
MAR

Owen Chen Trio @ Bar Next Door

Owen Chen guitar, Leland Nelson upright bass, Rishav Acharya drums. Emerging Artists Series.
22
FEB

Owen Chen Trio @ Pete's Candy Store

Owen Chen guitar, Warren Louie upright bass, Johannes Hamm drums
19
FEB

Owen Chen Trio @ Rue-B

Owen Chen guitar, Warren Louie upright bass, Johannes Hamm drums
16
FEB

Owen Chen Trio @ BierWax

Owen Chen guitar, Leland Nelson upright bass, Rishav Acharya drums
13
FEB

Aaron Ginns Trio @ Park Hyatt NYC

Aaron Ginns drums, Marlon Martinez upright bass, Owen Chen guitar, Vocalist tbd. 3rd floor hotel lounge.
11
FEB

Owen Chen Trio @ Bar Next Door

Ele Howell on drums, Jaehyun Cho on upright bass, Owen Chen on guitar. Emerging Artists Series
8
FEB

Owen Chen Fusion Quartet @ Gold Sounds Bar

Owen Chen guitar, Sue Kim piano, Leland Nelson electric bass, Rishav Acharya drums
6
FEB

Trio @ The Bean

Johannes Hamm on drums, Warren Louie on bass, Owen Chen on guitar
21
JAN

Owen Chen Trio @ Bar Next Door

Joshua Roberts on drums, Sean Hannon on upright bass, Owen Chen on guitar
3
DEC

Owen Chen Trio @ Bar Next Door

Owen Chen on guitar, Lucas Ebeling on Drums, Jayla Chee on Bass. Emerging artists series at Bar Next Door.
12
NOV

Owen Chen Trio @ Bar Next Door

Owen Chen on guitar, Diego Maldonado on Drums, Jeong Hwan Park on bass. Emerging artists series at Bar Next Door.
22
OCT

Owen Chen Trio @ Bar Next Door

Owen Chen on guitar, Diego Maldonado on Drums, Nick Panoutsos on Bass. Emerging artists series at Bar Next Door.
7
OCT

Owen Chen Trio @ Bar Next Door

Owen Chen on guitar, Ele Howell on Drums, Nick Panoutsos on Bass. Emerging artists series at Bar Next Door.
9
JAN

Duo @ The Bean

Owen Chen and Prawit Siriwat duo.
2
JAN

Jazz Trio @ The Bean

Rishav Acharya on drums, Sean Hannon on upright bass, Owen Chen on guitar
20
DEC

Owen Chen Trio @ Jupiters, Berkeley

Owen Chen, Nick Panoutsos, Ele Howell trio back on the West Coast, in Berkeley California at Jupiters
29
NOV

Owen Chen Trio @ Silvana NYC

Owen Chen guitar, Jaehyun Cho Bass, Rishav Acharya Drums.
23
NOV

Owen Chen Trio @ Bushwich Jazz Gala

Owen Chen guitar, Jaehyun Cho Bass, Rishav Acharya Drums. Tickets purchased here
21
NOV

Owen Chen, Andrew Cheng Duo @ The Bean

Owen Chen and Andrew Cheng duo.
16
NOV

The Crucible, Musical @ The Duplex NYC

Duplex Cabaret Theatre. Backing band. TBD
15
NOV

The Crucible, Musical @ The Duplex NYC

Duplex Cabaret Theatre. Backing band. TBD
27
OCT

Jazz Trio @ Private Wedding

TBD
21
OCT

Owen Chen & Juan Munguia duo @ Bar Next Door

Owen Chen and Juan Munguia duo on guitar. Emerging artists series at Bar Next Door.
17
OCT

Jazz Trio @ The Bean 3rd Ave

Sean Hannon on bass, Ian McLeod on Drums, Owen Chen on guitar
10
OCT

Jazz Trio @ The Bean

Jazz Trio at the bean
19
SEPT

Jazz Trio @ The Bean NYC

Owen Chen guitar, Jaehyum Cho on bass, Aaron Jennings on drums.
12
SEPT

Jazz Trio @ The Bean NYC

Owen Chen guitar, Sean Hannon on bass, Rishav Acharya on drums.
5
SEPT

Jazz Trio @ The Bean NYC

Owen Chen, Jaehyun Cho, Aaron Jennings.
22
AUG

Jazz Trio @ Rio Wine and Kitchen NYC

Owen Chen, Jacob Aviner, Killian Venman.
15
AUG

Wilson Guitar Competition - Semi-finals

Semi-finalist of Wilson Guitar Competition in Wisconsin at the Harris Theater in Sharon Lynn Wilson Center.
25
JULY

Jazz Trio @ The Bean

Owen Chen guitar, Mike O Shea on upright bass, Aaron Jennings on Drums
18
JULY

Duo @ The Bean

Owen Chen guitar, Paul Jubong Lee guitar
11
JULY

Jazz Trio @ The Bean

Jazz Trio - Owen Chen Guitar, Jaehyun Cho Bass, Aaron Jennings Drums
23
MAY

Jazz Trio @ The Bean

Jazz Trio - Owen Chen Guitar, Jaehyun Cho Bass, Aaron Jennings Drums
16
MAY

Jazz Trio @ The Bean

Jazz Trio - Owen Chen Guitar, Jaehyun Cho Bass, Aaron Jennings Drums
3
MAY

NYU Contemporary Vocal Ensemble And Jazz Choir showcase

NYU Jazz and Contemporary Vocal Ensemble and Jazz Choir showcase. Playing Guitar.
27
APR

Tony Moreno Quartet @ Provincetown Playhouse

Quintet. Led by Tony Moreno
27
APR

NYU Latin Jazz Ensemble @ Provincetown Playhouse

Quintet. Led by Michael Rodriguez
14
APR

Jazz Trio @ The Bean

Owen Chen on guitar, Jaehyun Cho on Upright bass, Ian McLeod on drums.
21
FEB

Jazz Trio @ The Bean NYC

Aaron Jennings on drums, Gui Duvignau on upright bass, Owen Chen on guitar
24
JAN

Jazz Trio @ The Bean NYC

Aaron Jennings on drums, Kelly Oja on upright bass, Owen Chen on guitar
20
DEC

Jazz Trio @ The Bean NYC

Jazz trio. Leo Kim on guitar, Ji Yun Kim on flute, Owen Chen on guitar.
13
DEC

Owen Chen Trio @ The Bean NYC

Jazz Trio. Jaehyun Cho on upright bass, Rishav Acharya drumset, Owen Chen guitar.
8
DEC

Owen Chen Jazz Trio @ UCSF Private Event

Jazz Trio. Jessie Salas on alto saxophone, Ricky Lomeli on drums, Owen Chen on guitar.
6
DEC

NYU Contemporary Vocal Ensemble @ Federick Loewe Theater

NYU's Contemporary Vocal Ensemble showcase. Pop, RnB, Hip-hop, etc.
30
NOV

Jazz Trio @ Private Event

Jazz trio. Jessie Salas on saxophone, Hatim Benmazine on upright bass. Private event.
10
NOV

Owen Chen Quartet @ The Shrine NYC

Quartet feat. Stone La Valle on drums, Kelly Oja on upright bass, Nino Wenger on Alto Saxophone.
8
NOV

Jazz trio @ The Bean NYC

Joel Utinen on Guitar, Jaehyun cho on upright bass, Owen Chen on guitar.
25
OCT

Jazz duo @ The Bean NYC

Owen Chen and Charles Colizza duo jazz guitar.
21
OCT

Jazz Duo @ Dekalb Market Hall

Duo jazz guitar with Paul JB Lee. DeKalb Market Hall
15
SEPT

Jazz Trio @ UCSF ImmunX Launch Event

Jazz trio. Bernard Kim on saxophone, Brian Thorsen on upright bass. Private event for UCSF ImmunX Launch event at the Cal Academy of Sciences
9
JUNE

Owen Chen Trio @ Sliver, Berkeley

Jazz trio. Peter Mustachic on saxophone, Gerry Spinaldi on upright bass. Sliver Pizzeria
6
FEB

Constant Time @ UCSF Medical, San Francisco

Private event for UCSF medical school.
22
DEC

Constant Time @ The Dorian SF, San Francisco

The Dorian SF Restaurant Holiday Party. Quartet.
8
DEC

Pleasure Point Jazz @ Lulu Carpenters, Santa Cruz

Jazz Quintet at Lulu Carpenter's on Pacific. Guitar, Bass, Drums, Saxophone, Vocals
4
DEC

Frank Martin Ensemble @ California Jazz Conservatory

Jean Luc Ponty tunes, featuring Owen Chen, Francis Martin, Hugh Njemanze, Jack Castillo. Led by Frank Martin.
18
NOV

Jazz Trio @ David Brower Center, Berkeley

Jazz Trio for private event. 2 guitar, 1 trumpet.
10
NOV

Pleasure Point Jazz @ Lulu Carpenters, Santa Cruz

Jazz Quintet at Lulu Carpenter's on Pacific. Guitar, Bass, Drums, Saxophone, Vocals
17
SEPT

Constant Time @ Urban Air Market, Hayes Valley

Owen Chen, Jessie Salas, Ricky Lomeli, Hatim Benmazine
20
AUG

UCJazz @ Caltopia, Berkeley

Owen Chen, Adam Aucoin, Brian Thorsen, Trey Fortmuller, David DeTomaso
7
AUG

SIM (School for Improv) NYC

School For Improvisation 2-week intensive NYC, at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music.
27
JULY

Jazz Trio @ Cal Alumni Donor Event, Faculty Club

Owen Chen, Travis Hendrix, Genaro Salgado
21
JUNE

Miles & Wayne Shorter Ensemble @ California Jazz Conservatory

Owen Chen, Peter Mustachich, Todd Larson, Jason Stewart, Vince Sendaydiego. Led by Steve Eriquiaga.
20
MAY

SF PorchFest @ San Francisco

SF Porchest Website. Members TBD
13
MAY

Private Wedding @ Moutain Terrance, Woodside

Constant Time. Owen Chen, Jessie Salas, Hatim Benmaziem, Ricky Lomeli
9
MAY

Jazz Trio @ Israel Out Loud. David Brower Center

Israel Out Loud. Website. Owen Chen, David DeTomaso, Ben Daniels
7
MAY

Urban Air Festival @ Hayes Valley SF

Urban Air Market Festival. Owen Chen, Hatim Benmazaine, Vincent Sendiego, Jessie Salas
29
April

Jazz Trio @ Hearst Mining Building, Berkeley

UC Jazz trio.
29
MAR

Miles Davis & Wayne Shorter Ensemble @ California Jazz Conservatory

Owen Chen, Peter Mustachich, Vincent Sendieyago
4
MAR

Jazz Trio @ College of Env. Architecture Design Dinner

Jazz Trio with Owen Chen, Brian Thorsen, Andre Palacios.
2
FEB

Jazz Trio @ The Dorian

Jazz Trio with Peter Mustacich, Owen Chen, Hatim Benmazaine.
20
JAN

Jazz Trio @ The Dorian

Jazz Trio with Jessie Salas, Owen Chen, Travis Hendrix
07
Jan

Private TPG Capital Company Holiday Party

Private Company Holiday dinner TPG Capital. The Barrel Room
18
DEC

Constant Time @ The Dorian Holiday Party

Private holiday christmas party.
10
DEC

Jazz Trio @ Company Holiday Party Berkeley

Private corporate holiday christmas party.
12
DEC

Duende Restaurant - Company Holiday Party

Private company event.
7
DEC

Electric Jazz Ensemble @ The California Jazz Conservatory

.
10
NOV

Jazz Trio @ The Dorian Restaurant

03
NOV

The Dorian Restaurant

Weekly jazz trio gig.
27
OCT

Jazz Trio @ The Dorian Restaurant

Weekly jazz trio gig.
6
OCT

Jazz Trio @ The Dorian Restaurant

Weekly jazz trio gig.
22
SEPT

The Dorian SF 1-year party event

One-year anniversary party for the Dorian restaurant.
08
SEPT

Jazz trio @ Kaiser Permanente Dinner

.
25
JULY

Electric Jazz Ensemble @ California Jazz Conservatory

End of summer showcase.
2
MAY

Berkeley Nu Jazz @ Lothrian Co-op

Nu jazz + Cabbagehead band.
24
APRIL

Constant Time @ Cal Jazz Choir Showcase

Backing band for Cal Jazz Choir's Spring showcase.
21
APRIL

Dann Zinn's Combo @ Freight & Salvage

UC Jazz Adv combo Spring concert.
21
APRIL

Dann Zinn's Combo @ MLK Noon concert

UC Berkeley noon concert
20
APRIL

Berkeley Nu Jazz @ Hertz Hall

Hertz Hall performance in UC Berkeley
16
APRIL

Dann Zinn's combo @ Cal Day

.
15
APRIL

Constant Time @ Berkeley Senior Formal

.
8
APRIL

Berkeley Nu Jazz @ Berkeley Museum of Fine Arts

.
1
APRIL

Constant Time @ Jazz In the Basement

.
11
MAR

Constant Time @ Moose House Party

.
9
MAR

Jazz Trio @ Berkeley Alumni Doner Dinner

.
20
FEB

Constant Time @ Co-op Titanic Party

.
1
FEB

ASUC Opening Ceremony

.
28
JAN

Cal Sports and Rec Department Private Event

.
16
JAN

Eichlay Holiday Party

.
06
DEC

Berkeley Nu Jazz Ensemble Showcase

.
03
DEC

Student Media Fair Expo

.
21
NOV

Jazz Trio @ Model UN Alumni Event

.
08
NOV

Jazz Trio @ Oakland Museum

.
04
NOV

Dann Zinn's Combo @ Freight & Salvage

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30
OCT

Zeta Tau Alpha Date Night

.
21
OCT

Cal Grant Alumni Dinner

.
21
OCT

Urban Air Market Lower Haight

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12
JULY

Urban Air Market Oakland

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19
JUNE

Urban Air Market Berkeley

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16
APRIL

School of Architecture Reunion

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08
APRIL

Chi Omega Sorority Date Night

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Contact & Booking


For event bookings, colloboration, lessons, or any inquires, get in touch below.


We have collaborated in fundraisers, supper parties, and private events with a variety of NYC based non-profit organizations, including Taiwanese American Professionals NYC (TAP-NY) , Taiwanese Junior Chamber of Commerce NY (TJCCNY) , Meals for Unity , Send Chinatown Love , Pearl River , Project By Project (PbP), and more.