By Eryk Michael Smith / Images courtesy of Vincent Hsu
Growing up in Kaohsiung, Vincent Hsu (徐崇育) never imagined he would one day perform his own jazz compositions before thousands of people. Sitting down recently with The Kaohsiung Times, Hsu shared the story of how a young man from Taiwan’s southern capital found his way to the international jazz stage.
“I played guitar a little when I was young, just basic stuff,” he said with a modest smile. “I loved music, but I never thought it would become my life.” That passion didn’t truly take hold until his mid-twenties — unusually late for a professional musician.
While serving in the army, Hsu played tuba in a military band, performing marches and anthems. Then one evening in Kaohsiung, he attended a concert by American jazz bassist Cecil McBee.
“I wasn’t very familiar with the life and work of Mr. Cecil at the time,” Hsu recalled. “But the music was like nothing I’d ever heard. Afterwards, he told me, ‘If you want to study jazz, come to New York…but no guarantees, it’s a very competitive scene.’”
After finishing his service in 2002, Hsu decided to take that leap. He arrived in New York less than a year after 9/11, officially to study English teaching but quietly determined to pursue music. “A kid saying ‘I want to be a jazz musician’ isn’t exactly what most Taiwanese parents hope for,” he said. His father, however, quoted the idiom 廢寢忘食 fèi qǐn wàng shí, which literally means “to neglect sleep and forget to eat.” It describes being excited or inspired by something. “If this passion is that strong,” his father told him, “then you should follow it.”
Hsu’s early days in New York were humble. “Our first gig was in a pizza restaurant,” he said. “We got paid in pizza and tips.” But it was a start. He practiced constantly, learned from mentors, and began writing his own compositions. “I didn’t want to just play other people’s music,” he said. “I wanted to write and build something of my own.”
That drive paid off. Hsu earned a master’s degree in jazz performance from New York University and spent eight years performing and recording in the city. His debut album, Homeland, won the 5th Golden Indie Music Award for Best Jazz Album and received three nominations at the Golden Melody Awards. His later work, In Our Blood, won a Silver Medal at the Global Music Awards.
Travel has been a steady source of inspiration. Hsu has performed across the United States, Europe, and Asia, blending Afro-Caribbean rhythm, American jazz, and Taiwanese melody. “Travel opens your mind,” he said. “When you see how people live and express themselves, that energy comes back with you as music.”
Despite his success abroad, Kaohsiung remains central to Hsu’s identity. His compositions often reference the Love River, the ocean, and the city’s transformation from an industrial hub into a center of creativity. “Kaohsiung has changed so much,” he said. “It’s not just a port city anymore. It’s a place where art and ideas meet.”
Even with his achievements, Hsu stays grounded. “Musicians don’t really get days off,” he said. “And we don’t make huge money. But if you truly want to create, you have to do it anyway.” His message to young artists in the age of artificial intelligence is clear: “Technology can imitate sound, but it can’t replace soul. If you have the desire to make something, that will push you forward.”
Kaohsiung audiences can see Vincent Hsu this Sunday (tomorrow) and on Nov. 1:
SUNDAY: 2025 Kaohsiung Harbor Jazz Week ★ Lecture ★
“The Sound of Migration – My Jazz Journey in Africa”
◍ Speaker | Vincent Hsu (徐崇育)
◍ Time | Sunday, Oct. 26, 14:30
◍ Venue | WiJazz Records Lecture Room
◍ Address | 2 F, Wave Tower, Kaohsiung Music Center (No. 1 Zhen’ai Road, Yancheng District, Kaohsiung)
◍ Lecture details | https://tinyurl.com/5h4stux8
◍ Registration | https://tinyurl.com/324mra84
NOVEMBER 1, 2025: Hsu and his long-time collaborators will perform as Vincent Hsu Quartet (徐崇育爵士四重奏) in The Sound of Migration concert at the Kaohsiung Music Center on November 1, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. in the Wave Tower 2F Jazz Studio (音浪塔高塔2樓爵式). The performance features Vincent Hsu on bass, Jonas Ganzemüller on saxophone, Lee Shih-chun (李世鈞) on guitar, and Lin Kuan-liang (林冠良) on drums.
Tickets are NT$700 for one or NT$1,300 for two, available through WiJazz Records (爵式 WiJazz Records).
Vincent Hsu at a Glance
Name: Vincent Hsu (徐崇育)
WATCH Neon Jazz Interview
Hometown: Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Instrument / Role: Double bass, composer
Education: M.A. in Jazz Performance, New York University
Notable Awards:
• 5th Golden Indie Music Award – Best Jazz Album (Homeland)
• Golden Melody Award – 3 nominations
• Global Music Awards – Silver Medal (In Our Blood)
Style: Afro-Caribbean jazz infused with Taiwanese melodic influences
Upcoming Performance: The Sound of Migration – Nov 1, 2025, at Kaohsiung Music Center
Label: Truth Revolution Records
