"Music is my strongest form of expression" — Shan Jiang on art without limits
"Only when we have enough confidence and perseverance in ourselves can we achieve anything!"
Shan Jiang's musical journey defies boundaries. From classical prodigy in China to jazz innovator in Paris, she has carved out a sound that fuses tradition with bold modernity. A pianist, composer, producer, and singer, she wows in live performances and has amassed a hefty following on social media. Shan’s music blends jazz, pop, R&B, and Chinese influences, creating something uniquely her own.
As part of our International Women’s Day series and in celebration of Women's History Month, she shares how she pushes artistic and cultural boundaries while championing women in music. With an unshakable belief in self-expression and a fearless approach to blending styles, Shan proves that music is a language without limits—one she speaks fluently, from the heart.
Tell us, who is Shan Jiang and what has your musical journey been like?
I’m a pianist, keyboardist, composer, arranger, producer, and singer. I started learning piano at four with my neighbor and, driven by my love for it, was admitted to the Affiliated Primary School of Wuhan Conservatory of Music at nine. Three years later, I was the only publicly funded student admitted directly to the composition department for both middle and high school. I then pursued higher education at the Conservatoire de Paris and Berklee College of Music, earning my master’s degrees in composition and jazz at the Conservatoire de Paris.
Over the years, I have released two albums and quite a few singles. I’ve worked as a performer, producer, music director and singer, collaborating with renowned artists and brands worldwide.
What inspired you to pursue a career in music, and how has your artistic style evolved over time?
To be honest, I think I’ve loved music since I was a baby. According to my mom, she bought me a piano when I was three, and every day, I would ask my grandparents to lift me onto the bench. I could sit there and play around for hours. Later, when I was admitted to the Affiliated Primary School of the Conservatory, I had to practice the piano for five hours a day at the age of nine, yet I never found it boring or tiring!
As I grew up, I realized that everyone has their own way of expressing themselves, and for me, that way is through music.
I remember when I was studying classical music in middle school, I was always drawn to different styles. While practicing Beethoven and Chopin, I loved listening to Eminem, Beyoncé or Linkin Park… Really very diverse haha! And my piano and composition teachers were my greatest mentors, and of course my mom, who has always been incredibly supportive. They all encouraged and nurtured my creativity and limitless imagination! But switching from classical to jazz, I remember that one day, after a classical piano lesson, my teacher showed me a movie called “The Legend of 1900”, that moment sparked my sudden desire to learn jazz, but it wasn’t until I moved to France that I finally got the chance to pursue it because at that time, jazz music was not widely popular in China.
Music has always been my strongest form of expression. I was drawn to composition early on, but my journey took me through jazz, pop, R&B, electronic, and even film scoring. Over time, my sound has evolved to blend traditional Chinese influences with contemporary genres. I love pushing musical boundaries, whether it’s through my own projects, collaborations, or music production.
Can you share a defining moment in your career that shaped who you are as an artist today?
There have been several, but one of the most defining moments was my first tour as a front artist in 2019 when I traveled across China with my own project. It was an intense experience—we were constantly on the move, taking flights almost every day, performing in different cities with little time to rest.
Despite the exhaustion, I was amazed by how deeply people connected with my music. The only moments where I truly felt grounded and re-energized were during the concerts, thanks to the incredible love and energy from the audience. It was in that extreme contrast—between the physical fatigue of touring and the emotional high of performing—that I had a breakthrough. I realized just how powerful the bond between an artist and their audience can be. That tour shaped my understanding of what it truly means to share music, and it deepened my connection with performing in a way I had never felt before.
The theme for International Women’s Day 2025 is “Accelerate Action” — What does this mean to you, and how do you embody this theme in your work and career?
To me, “Accelerate Action” means pushing forward with purpose and intention. In music, it’s about breaking barriers—whether cultural, technical, or artistic. As a woman in the industry, I strive to create opportunities not only for myself but also for other women in music, as well as the next generation of musicians. That’s why I enjoy sharing my journey online, my thoughts, my words to support, showcasing both the creative and technical aspects of my work.
How do I embody this theme in your work and career...? First of all, I believe that my music is deeply connected to both my gender and personality. The emotions and delicate inner feelings expressed in my music naturally reflect many aspects of femininity. Additionally, I have a strong interest in fashion, styling, and makeup, so I love showcasing different styles and looks in my work, whether in content creation, on stage, or in my daily life. Everyone is unique, and we are all beautiful in our own way—we shouldn’t be afraid to let the world see our beauty!
As an influencer, I enjoy sharing content from other female musicians so that more people can see and appreciate their talent and hard work. Emmmh… and sometimes, I come across racist or sexist comments…but I don’t let them slide! I prefer to respond and stand up for myself, to make them understand that what they’re doing isn’t right! Sometimes, I don’t even need to do anything haha, my "internet friends" —my dearest followers(both men and women) stand up for me, and I don’t have to lift a finger. They are so kind and wonderful! Fortunately, our world isn’t so bad; it’s just a small group of people who still need some time to help make it a better place. So… All I want to say is: Girl power forever!!! 💪😊✨
Your music has been featured in many areas such as fashion, TV, gaming, and more. Reflecting on your journey as a woman artist, what actions do you believe are crucial to help create gender equality and give women more opportunities in the creative industry?
First of all, I believe that female musicians must firmly believe in their own strength! Only when we have enough confidence and perseverance in ourselves can we achieve anything!
Then, visibility is key. Women in music need more platforms to showcase their work. Brands and industry leaders should actively support female musicians, not just through collaborations but by offering leadership and production opportunities.
Another thing, I believe mentorship and education are also important! When young female artists see others succeed, it gives them the confidence to pursue their own path.
After all, I think we’re already doing a great job, and we’re on the right path!
What is your usual production setup like, and what are your favorite or essential pieces of gear needed for live performances or in the studio? How do these instruments impact your creativity?
In the studio, I always prioritize working with analog gear because it remains the most inspiring for me. Instruments like the Prophet, Moog, Wurlitzer, and an upright piano give me a tactile connection to the sound that no digital tool can fully replicate. However, for strings and other orchestral elements, I rely on high-quality VSTs paired with a responsive MIDI controller to achieve nuanced performances. One of the biggest time-savers in my workflow is the ROLI Seaboard—once properly set up, it allows me to record all the expressive details of a performance in one take, which is incredibly efficient.
For live performances, my setup depends on many factors. In the past, I preferred using multiple keyboards to have as many sounds as possible at my fingertips. But over time, I’ve shifted towards using program changes, which lets me stay more focused on the music rather than constantly switching instruments. With the increasing power of modern computers, I’m also integrating VSTs into my live setup more and more—it’s incredibly convenient once everything is well-programmed, offering a level of flexibility that was hard to achieve before.
You’ve performed in diverse cultural settings. Notably, you have origins in China where you first started your musical journey, studying music in the US, and moving to France where your work has grown even more. Have these experiences influenced your approach to performance and composition? If so, in what ways?
Absolutely. Each place has added a new layer to my music. China gave me a deep foundation in classical and traditional music, also shaped my resilient personality. The US introduced me to jazz and improvisation. France guided me to freely find my own way of expression and unique personality, and shaped my understanding of arrangement and composition in a more artistic and cinematic way.
My current sound is a fusion of all these influences, allowing me to create music that feels both personal and globally connected.
Most importantly, no matter where I’ve been, every experience has broadened my perspective. It has helped me understand myself while also giving me the courage to keep exploring new versions of who I am!
Your album Chinese Poetry blends jazz with traditional Chinese music, and you’ve also fused genres such as hip-hop, pop, and electronic in your music. What drew you to this eclectic mix of styles, and how do you balance tradition with more modern styles or instruments in your work?
I have always been deeply fascinated by the concept of blending the old and the new. Whether it’s traditional or modern culture, both hold a strong appeal to me. Chinese Poetry was an experiment in exploring traditional Chinese melodies and instruments through a jazz perspective, merging different sounds and timbres. It also served as a kind of “culmination” of my previous studies in classical and contemporary composition.
I am naturally a curious person—I love discovering new things, listening to all kinds of music, visiting different exhibitions, traveling to new places, trying unfamiliar foods, and making new friends from diverse backgrounds. For someone like me, this kind of balance comes quite naturally. I think my lifestyle and perspective on life are closely connected to my music.
Of course, beyond applying the technical knowledge I’ve acquired, it is like my deep emotional connection to the world around me that drives me to experiment and find harmony in contrasts.
Ultimately, music is a universal language, and I truly believe that all styles can coexist within it.
Looking ahead, are there any new musical directions or projects you’re excited to explore?
I’ve always been drawn to blending different styles, just like I did with Chinese Poetry, and that continues to be a big part of my creative process. Lately, I have focused on blending modern pop with funk, new wave, and new soul, genres that put harmony and rich keyboard textures at the forefront, which I feel are often missing in today’s mainstream pop. There’s something so timeless about those sounds, and I love reinterpreting them with a fresh, contemporary vocal approach and relevant themes.
Right now, I’m working on several projects in that direction. My latest single “Too Late” just came out, and “Funky With Me” is dropping very soon! Both are high-energy, danceable tracks with all my feelings and vibe.
With everything happening in the world, I feel like we all need more music that makes us move and feel good. That’s the vibe I’m focused on bringing!
Discover more from Shan Jiang on Instagram and on her official website
