#436 Chien Chien Lu- Percussionist, Educator, Composer and More!
This week’s guest is Chien Chien Lu. Chien Chien is a jazz vibraphonist, contemporary percussionist, and composer whose Taiwanese heritage, classical training, and passion for groove define her fresh, distinctive approach to contemporary jazz. Her journey in music began at age six with classical piano, followed by classical percussion at ten. She trained intensively for two decades, performing with the world-renowned Ju Percussion Group for five years and touring extensively across Asia before turning her focus to jazz in 2015.
Lu remembers her time in Taiwan immersed in the world of classical music: disciplined, structured, and full of beauty; but something was always missing. No matter how precise the performance, she felt a deeper voice inside her that wasn’t being heard. There was a call to break free from the page, to step into a world where she could speak honestly and spontaneously. That call eventually brought her to the United States, where she began exploring jazz and improvisation as a way to express her truest self.
Recently named one of DownBeat Magazine's “25 for the Future” and one of the “10 Emerging Jazz Artists of 2023” by the Recording Academy, Lu has quickly risen as a dynamic force in today’s jazz scene. Her latest collaborative album with bassist Richie Goods, CONNECTED, won “Best Instrumental Album” at the 34th Golden Melody Awards.
Lu’s fierce authenticity and jazz mastery shine in her debut solo album The Path (2020), which spent 20 weeks in the JazzWeek Top 20, won “Best Jazz Song” at the Golden Indie Music Awards, and earned three Golden Melody and four Golden Indie nominations. She was also voted a “vibraphone rising star” in DownBeat Magazine’s 69th Annual Critics Poll. Her band has performed at prestigious festivals like the Clifford Brown Jazz Festival and DC Jazz Festival, and toured across Europe, Asia, and the U.S.
Before jazz, Lu’s classical career included a solo percussion recital at Taipei Novel Hall and performances of Ching-Mei Lin’s six-mallet marimba concerto Pulsing Wave. She was named an “Emerging Young Artist” in 2014 for her marimba duo work, and her classical sensibility continues to shape her sound.
Her transition to jazz was sparked at the 2017 Banff Jazz Residency under the direction of Vijay Iyer, where she met trumpet icon Jeremy Pelt. This pivotal experience launched her into the U.S. jazz scene and led to her joining the Jeremy Pelt Quintet. Her sophomore album Built In System (2023) was praised as one of the best jazz and world albums of the year by The Times of London.
Lu now focuses on her collaborative band with bassist Richie Goods, CONNECTED. The group recently performed at the Monterey Jazz Festival, Stanford Jazz Festival, and the Taipei International Percussion Convention. They are scheduled to appear at SFJAZZ in late 2025, and Lu will return to Taiwan to teach and perform at the National Concert Hall Jazz Festival summer 2025. In 2026, she will collaborate with the WDR Big Band on a new project. Currently, CONNECTED is preparing to record their second album, CONNECTED Vol. 2.
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday to Steve Hass! Steve is an American drummer based in Los Angeles, originally from Island Park, New York, born to Greek immigrant parents from Athens. He is notable for his technical skill, time feel, and his musical versatility, having played with many artists from a wide variety of genres.
After attending Berklee College Of Music on scholarship from 1993–1996 Steve was asked to join the Ravi Coltrane Quartet. He toured and recorded with the band from 1996 to 2002. The music was a mixture of traditional jazz, funk, and odd meter fusion. During this time Steve was also a studio drummer in New York City playing on dozens of national jingles, record dates, television shows, and movie soundtracks. He was also a member of Ruben Wilson's "Masters Of Groove" where he shared the drum chair with the legendary Bernard Purdie. In addition, during this period Steve toured with Christian McBride, Suzanne Vega, Miri Ben-Ari, Bob Berg, and Richard Bona amongst others.
In 2003 Steve began touring and recording with multiple Grammy winners and Atlantic recording artists, The Manhattan Transfer. He remains the first call drummer for The Manhattan Transfer, and works with them as his schedule permits. He is the first touring drummer in the history of the band to actually record with them. He is featured on 3 album releases and 1 live concert DVD. In late 2003, Hass released a solo album named Traveler. The CD displays Hass' skills as a talented producer. His usage of sonic layering and drum loops is reminiscent of Jon Brion.
In 2005 Steve joined John Scofield and Mavis Staples to support Scofield's Verve release "That's What I'd Say". The band toured around the world from 2005 until December 2007 playing R+B, Soul, Jazz and Latin styles. Scofield also used Steve in his jazz trio, along with bassist John Benitez for select local N.Y dates.
In 2006 Hass had an eight-page feature interview in Modern Drummer Magazine. He is now a regular educational contributor in the "ask a pro" and "workshop" columns.
In 2007 Steve established a second residence in Los Angeles and quickly became a popular choice for musicians and producers on the LA scene, both live and in the studio. His company, Hassbeat Productions Inc. provides studio services to artists worldwide while allowing Steve to record drum tracks for a variety of artists around the world. Since moving to Los Angeles Steve has become a regular with renowned artists such as Billy Childs, Bob Sheppard, Brandon Fields and Alan Pasqua as well as maintaining his presence in the studio with contemporary rock singer/songwriters, juggling recording sessions for producers The Difference, Rami Yadid and Ken Wallace, and touring with R+B great Patti Austin, top selling fusion/new age pianist Keiko Matsui and The Manhattan Transfer. He continues to work with R&B/Jazz Grammy winner Patti Austin in all variations of her touring band.
Happy Birthday to Brian Frasier-Moore! Brian was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA, grew up in church playing drums at the age of 5. His professional career started 1993 and continues to the present. He has performed with artists like: The Whitehead Brothers, Les Nubians, Jill Scott, Glenn Lewis, Aaliyah, Usher, Goodie Mob, Patti LaBelle, George Howard, Vivian Green, Bruce Parham(Gospel), Ernie Sanders(Gospel), Steve Middleton(Gospel), Vikter Duplaix, Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, Billy Paul, Bunny Sigler,Teddy Pendergrass, James Poyser, Backstreet Boys, Justin Timberlake, Ciara, Eric Benet, Ginuine, Toni Braxton, Keny "Babyface" Edmonds, Christina Aguilera, Janet Jackson, Madonna, Timbaland, Queen Latifah. More of his recording credits can be found by CLICKING HERE.
Happy Birthday to Carter McLean! Carter was born in San Francisco and shortly thereafter moved to Connecticut. This is where McLean listened to and fell in love with music and especially the drums. At age 10, he started his journey as a musician. Broadway wasn’t even on his radar when he started working at Manny’s Music in Manhattan just prior to 9/11. The self-taught musician had just wrapped up his studies at University of Colorado, Boulder and was hoping to land a gig with someone like Sting, Peter Gabriel or Paul Simon. But then, while working his shift and playing at the store, he got noticed by a vet of Stevie Wonder’s band Dennis Davis and got invited to play with legendary musician Roy Ayers in Harlem. While touring with Melvin Sparks in 2002 McLean was approached to be a sub at The Lion King in NYC. This eventually lead to McLean taking over the chair at the hit show in 2011.
From Charlie Hunter to the Lion King on Broadway, McLean has been busy touring and doing studio work as well as having a busy teaching schedule. In addition McLean has shared the stage or recorded with Jamie McLean, Greg Holden, Charlie Hunter, Victor Wooten, Anthony Hamilton, Bernie Worrell (Parlament Funkadelic), Fred Wesley (James Brown), Shelby Johnson (Prince), Melanie Gabriel (Peter Gabriel) Leni Stern, Matt Duke and many others. Carter also released his own record “GHOST BRIDGE” in 2010 where he sings and plays guitar.
Gig Alerts
The Wonderfront Festival is happening in San Diego, CA from May 16th-18th. Gary Clark Jr. is one of the headliners with friend of the show, J.J. Johnson on the drums.
The Bottlerock Festival is happening in Napa, CA from May 23rd-25th.
The Sueños Festival is happening in Chicago, IL from May 24th-25th. Friend of the show, Brendan Buckley will be playing drums with Shakira.
The Cross The Tracks Festival is happening in London, England on May the 25th. Friend of the show, Ernesto Marichales will be performing with Jordan Rakei.
Damon will be playing with Concrete Jungle in Cheshire, CT, Nantucket, MA and New Bedford, MA.
Educational Spotlight
You can now REGISTER for PASIC. It is the 50th anniversary coming up this November 12th-16th in Indianapolis, IN.
The Pennsylvania Chapter of the Percussive Arts Society has a Snare Drum Competition coming up.
+ All applicants must complete and submit the online application by May 31, 2025.
+ Pennsylvania residency is required.
+ Two Divisions: Grade 6-12 and Undergraduate College
+ Two Grand Prize winners will receive a $200 cash prize and awards from our corporate sponsors
+ Submit your application HERE!
Iconic Recording
Chien Chien picked two songs for the iconic recordings for the week. The first one is “Delilah” by Bobby Hutcherson from the album ‘Skyline’.
The second one is “Pools” by Steps Ahead from the album also called, ‘Steps Ahead’.
Music News
Young Musicians Unite’s 2025 gala raised $1.6 million to support free music education for Miami-Dade students, according to organizers. -Article
Laufey launches foundation “to make music education accessible to all” Inaugural grants have been given to the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras, LA Phil's YOLA (Youth Orchestra Los Angeles) program and more. -Article
Chien Chien Lu Interview
The song leading into the interview is “We Live in Brooklyn Baby” by Roy Ayers, performed by Chien Chien and her group.
Chien Chien performed with the Percussion People, led by friend of the show, Michael Sgouros. That particular concert she played in was backing up another friend of the show, Jonathan Scales.
Chien Chien was a member of the Ju Percussion Group.
Chien Chien studied with friend of the show Pei-Ching Wu.
She talks about her time in the Ju Percussion Group.
Chien Chien played piano first. She still does and wanted to play cello when she was young.
She talks about the rubber band technique for 6 mallets.
Damon and Chien Chien talk about voicings on the vibraphone.
Chien Chien studied at the Taipei National University for the Arts. Where she got her undergrad and masters from.
She then got a second masters at the University of the Arts studying with friend of the show, Tony Miceli.
Damon mentions how friend of the show, Stefon Harris also got a classical degree as well as jazz degree.
Chien Chien talks about what drew her to jazz and improvisation.
She mentions how she chose the University of the Arts and the Jazz Vibraphone camp Tony Miceli offered.
She mentions the advice from her parents and the relationship with them.
At one point, Chien Chien was studying French.
Chien Chien talks about immigration going from an 0-1 Visa to getting a green card.
Chien Chien will be working with the WDR Big Band in Germany.
Chien Chien is working on a new album with Richie Goods. The album will be called Connected Vol. 2.
Chien Chien mentions her other albums.
Chien Chien talks about playing with and having friend of the show, Michael Piolet on drums in her group.
If you would like to book Chien Chien, her management is Brian McKenna brian@mckennagroupproductions.com, and her booking agent is Maria Matias maria@mariamatiasmusic.com.
Damon mentions the timeline to submit for the Grammys.
Chien Chien talks about moving from Philly to NYC.
She talks about putting yourself in situations to meet other professional musicians and taking advantage of summer camps and music programs. Shout-out to the one at Banff.
She talks about connecting with Jeremy Pelt and then joining his band.
She talks about the importance of learning the history and culture behind the music.
Chien Chien talks about her enjoyment of Roy Ayers, Milt Jackson, and Steve Nelson.
Chien Chien picks the iconic recordings for the week.
Shout out to Ju, Tzong-Ching, Pei-Ching Wu, Jeremy Pelt, Richie Goods, Tony Miceli, Steve Nelson, Michael Sgouros, and Roberto Romeo.
Chien Chien uses Saito Vibraphones.
Damon and Chien Chien talk about different vibraphone frames.
You can follow Chien Chien on her Website, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
The song leading out of the interview is, “Boulanger's Variation” performed by Chien Chien and her group.
