Today we’d like to introduce you to Jiani Zhou.

Hi Jiani, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
First of all, I was born and raised in China, and I moved to New York in 2021.

My artistic journey started at a young age, where I found myself drawn to music and creativity. In primary school, I was organizing performances and designing projects for my class, which helped me develop leadership skills and a sense of teamwork. A key moment in my musical path came in 2008 when I was 8-year-old and first heard Leehom Wang’s album, which has mixed music elements from both Western R&B and Chinese traditional music. It inspired me to explore music more deeply, and by age 12, I began learning guitar.

As I progressed through art high school, I realized my true passion was singing. This led me to enroll at Zhejiang Vocational Academy of Art, where I studied contemporary pop music performance. During my time there, I not only developed my musical abilities but also learned a lot about communication and stage presence, especially as I served as class secretary and organized and hosted concerts. In 2019, I discovered a big growing interest in jazz, inspired by workshops with musicians from New York City.

After graduating in 2021, I decided to pursue my passion further by attending The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in New York. I’ve had the privilege of learning from some amazing mentors like Kate Baker, Antoinette Montague, Danny Mixon, and Reggie Workman. Had the chance to perform in various ensembles, from small jazz duos to Afro-Cuban jazz orchestras. I’ve also had the opportunity to explore other artistic forms, like theater and movement, which continue to shape my artistic and personal growth. Now I’ve graduated from The New School in December 2024 with a BFA degree in jazz performance.

Jazz is my musical foundation, and it provides me with the freedom to explore a wide range of creative possibilities.I am currently performing actively in New York City and hope to bring my band to my hometown in China in the future. Through my music education and performance experiences, I’ve come to understand how important it is to honor my cultural roots in my music. Different languages bring out different emotions and stories, which is why I love singing in Mandarin and Cantonese, alongside English.

One thing I’m truly grateful for is having had the guidance of many mentors in my life, who saw my potential and encouraged me along the way. Their support, combined with my own passion, has helped me get to where I am today.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I would say my journey has been relatively smooth, thanks to the support of my family, friends, and teachers who have encouraged me along the way. However, as a singer, our bodies are our instruments, and I’ve found it challenging when my physical health isn’t in good condition.

In the past year, I’ve battled the flu and sinus infections many times, with the symptoms lasting longer each time. It was disheartening not being able to sing, or having to perform with poor vocal condition, especially during important performances and academic evaluations. I also faced some personal challenges during this period, which made my condition worse, as I couldn’t express my emotions through singing. This experience made me realize just how integral music and singing are to my life.

As a singer and storyteller, I’ve come to understand the importance of maintaining both physical and mental well-being. I need to have the energy and presence to create a space where the audience feels comfortable and connected, because I believe in the power of emotional resonance, and I always strive to foster a positive, engaging atmosphere in my performances, both as a singer and as a bandleader.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a multilingual jazz and contemporary singer, bandleader, and composer, with 9 years of experience performing live music across the East and the West, in ensembles ranging from duos to orchestras, and on stages from hotel lounges to music festivals. I view myself as a storyteller—my music and my spirit have evolved together over time and I aim to weave a tapestry of love and healing through my performance, inviting listeners into a journey of emotional depth and resonance.

Like I mentioned earlier, my musical foundation is rooted in jazz, a genre that has inspired me to explore a wide array of artistic expressions and life experiences. Besides music, one of these explorations led me to drama techniques, particularly the Linklater vocal progression, which taught and inspired me a lot on the connection between body and the voice. I also discovered my passion for cocktails after learning about the connection between jazz and speakeasy bar culture, as well as the rich cocktail scene in New Orleans, the birthplace of jazz. This inspired me to complete a professional bartending course at the New York Bartending School.

Another main factors that sets me apart from others is the influence of my diverse cultural background. I grew up in Hangzhou, a city in mainland China, where I speak Mandarin and Wu languege. Hangzhou is known for its rich cultural heritage, including Yueju, a traditional Chinese opera that uses a unique local dialect from the end of Qing Dynasty, and a lot of poems and mythological stories.The city is also known for its beautiful nature, like the serene West Lake surrounded by hills and green tea mountains. Additionally, I was deeply influenced by the culture of Hong Kong, thus I learned Cantonese myself growing up listening to Cantonese music and watching films from Hong Kong. After spending nearly four years in New York City, a melting pot of cultures, my experiences have further broadened my worldview. For me, language, nature, philosophy and culture are all forms of art.

I believe that all the things I have learned and experienced interact and influence one another. The philosophies I’ve learned through both my artistic practices and life experiences have shaped me into an independent artist. My perspective to the world are all in my music, where you’ll hear the blend of cultures, stories, and philosophies that define who I am.

What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I’ve learned along my journey in the music industry is the value of supporting each other.

After performing in both New York and China and engaging with a diverse group of musicians, mentors, and friends, I realized that collaboration and mutual support are the true drivers of long-term success and fulfillment, both personally and professionally.
Whether it’s collaborating on a project, offering constructive feedback, or simply lending a listening ear, these acts of support foster creativity and keep us moving forward. My talented singer friend, Malaya Sol also shared the importance of lifting each other up when I interviewed her. She mentioned it helps to create a cycle of growth and creativity that benefits everyone.

A healthy and positive community is not built on unhealthy competition, especially for musicians, because I believe music is fundamentally about connection—connecting the individuals, from heart to heart.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Jianizhou_2000
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BWQAZFV5Z/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Other: The Red小红书：爵士喵

Image Credits
Sherly Fan