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 .
Album
Debut Album (EP) "Eternal" of 4 original compositions was released on April 24th 2022. iTunes Link.
Each piece draws from different sources of personal musical inspiration in Owen's life experiences, from influences of cinematic soundtracks, progressive rock, and studio ghibli music, the contrasting themes and melodic improvisations paint a picture of the different melodies that contributed to his evergrowing "eternal" musical journey.
This music was brought to life by a phenomenal band of New York musicians - Sukyung Kim (piano), Sunhyun Yoo (saxophone), Sean Hannon (Bass), and Joshua Roberts (Drums)
Owen Chen Quintet
Owen Chen Quintet at Laissez Faire NYC
Live at Rockwood Music Hall
Owen Chen Quintet at the Eternal Album Release concert Rockwood Music Hall Stage 3 May 24th 2022
Studio Ghibli Jazz
Victor Lin's Studio Ghibli Quintet at The Red Pavilion Studio Ghibli Jazz nights.
Projects
Violin and Guitar
Duo project with Seoyeon Im, playing a repertoire of improvisational pop and jazz music.
Trio and Quintets
Configurations range from trios to quintets in jazz, pop, RnB, and rock groups.
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 performances28
Sept
Owen Chen Quartet @ Land To Sea (Send Chinatown Love fundraiser)
Send Chinatown Love & Choy Commons fundraiser.
14
Sept
11
Sept
7
Sept
1
Sept
10
Aug
24
July
17
July
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
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
Original Music from "Eternal" album. TAP-NY and TJCCNY jazz happy hour event. Ticket Link
17
May
15
May
7
May
3
May
25
Apr
Owen Chen & Seoyeon Im Duo @ Hop Lee
Violin and Guitar duo at Meals for Unity x Send Chinatown Love Supper Club.
EventBrite ticket link
17
Apr
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
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
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
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
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
2
JAN
Jazz Trio @ The Bean
Rishav Acharya on drums, Sean Hannon on upright bass, Owen Chen on guitar
20
DEC
29
NOV
23
NOV
Owen Chen Trio @ Bushwich Jazz Gala
Owen Chen guitar, Jaehyun Cho Bass, Rishav Acharya Drums. Tickets purchased here
21
NOV
16
NOV
15
NOV
27
OCT
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
19
SEPT
12
SEPT
5
SEPT
22
AUG
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
11
JULY
23
MAY
16
MAY
3
MAY
NYU Contemporary Vocal Ensemble And Jazz Choir showcase
NYU Jazz and Contemporary Vocal Ensemble and Jazz Choir showcase. Playing Guitar.
27
APR
27
APR
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
21
OCT
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
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
13
MAY
Private Wedding @ Moutain Terrance, Woodside
Constant Time. Owen Chen, Jessie Salas, Hatim Benmaziem, Ricky Lomeli
9
MAY
7
MAY
Urban Air Festival @ Hayes Valley SF
Urban Air Market Festival. Owen Chen, Hatim Benmazaine, Vincent Sendiego, Jessie Salas
29
April
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
20
JAN
07
Jan
Private TPG Capital Company Holiday Party
Private Company Holiday dinner TPG Capital. The Barrel Room
18
DEC
10
DEC
12
DEC
7
DEC
10
NOV
03
NOV
27
OCT
6
OCT
22
SEPT
08
SEPT
25
JULY
2
MAY
24
APRIL
Constant Time @ Cal Jazz Choir Showcase
Backing band for Cal Jazz Choir's Spring showcase.
21
APRIL
21
APRIL
20
APRIL
16
APRIL
15
APRIL
8
APRIL
1
APRIL
11
MAR
9
MAR
20
FEB
1
FEB
28
JAN
16
JAN
06
DEC
03
DEC
21
NOV
08
NOV
04
NOV
30
OCT
21
OCT
21
OCT
12
JULY
19
JUNE
16
APRIL
08
APRIL
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.