Meet Jonas Cho | Saxophonist, Music composer/producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jonas Cho and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jonas, what matters most to you?
I feel like being in college, I’m still establishing and exploring my own values. But one thing I learned throughout music school is how I should focus on my own journey and personal growth instead of comparing myself to others.

Coming from an extremely competitive culture, playing music was always used to find out who is a better musician. Students in Hong Kong would all compete in huge competitions every year in ensembles or solo categories, and everyone would be so fired up about it. Ego was a big part of how I improved as a teenage musician, and my sole purpose in practicing my instrument was to beat other saxophonists in other schools. In fear of being judged, came the motivation to get better. Granted I loved to play music, it was a means for me to communicate with others and I loved to connect with people using my music (Or else I wouldn’t have chosen music for college), but I played with so much ego.

The moment I got into Berklee, I started doing all sorts of stuff out of my comfort zone and I was put together with some of the best musicians around the globe, and my ego got shattered completely. I then, like when I was in highschool, practiced because I was insecure of my playing and out of fear of being judged. I would just shed in my room for hours on end on my own not playing with others because I was comparing myself to my peers and I just felt like I was miles away from where they are at. This mindset helped me improve at a rapid speed but it was so taxing on my mental health. I would constantly judge myself whenever I play music or just straight-up feel like crap for days if I knew I messed up.

It was in my 4th semester I had the chance to study a class conducted by Kenny Werner called Effortless Mastery, which was exactly about playing without ego. I realized that nobody’s opinion about my playing mattered more than mine, and I learned to move on from the mistakes I made because obsessing over past performances will not make me a better musician. One thing Kenny said that stayed with me to this day, is how we should acknowledge the mistakes we make, but we can only let the thought stay for a split second then we have to move on. Honour what you have learnt and explore what you have not, we all have different starting points and there is no comparing what you have learnt at the stage of your own journey and somebody else’s. I am still learning as a musician and I mess up every now and then, but I am proud of the progress I have made during these few semesters/few years and I will keep working on myself. Although progress might not be seen every day, I know I am working towards becoming a better musician.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am very much still in the middle of developing my artistry, but I always keep an open mind to what is possible for my instrument. As an instrumentalist, I attempt to search and experiment with all that my saxophone can do across different genres. Heading into Berklee as a classical saxophonist meant that I had to relearn so much about my instrument to suit and play contemporary styles and go against the rigid training of the classical world. But I try my best to be as versatile as possible and not label myself to play only one single style of music.

Alongside music, I’m also self-taught on some videography and video editing skills, so that I can provide my music a visual perspective, which is so important in the digital age to make and promote your own content and show the world your music. My musical journey somewhat started with me trying to make YouTube covers of the Undertale soundtrack during middle school, so I always had to teach myself everything involved in a full production. From learning different instruments so that I can multi-track myself, writing and notating my own arrangements, mixing and producing so I can make my own music, and how to record and edit my own videos. Since I was in middle school I couldn’t find anyone to help, but I had all the information I need on the internet, so kept learning by trial and error. If you go on my YouTube you can still see some of the projects I made before I went into music school.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
One thing going to college overseas has taught me is to enjoy the small things here and there back home. I think Hong Kong is best experienced when you really dive into the daily life of the people there. Grab some amazing food from small tea restaurants, experience the local transportation system and ride the tram on Hong Kong island, walk alongside Stanley beach in a nice evening, enjoy the serene skyline of the city on lion rock hill midnight. Be sure to check out local jazz shows happening in Central or catch the Hong Kong Philharmonic playing at Cultural Center in Tsim Sha Tsui! There is so much to do!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
A lot of things shaped me into the artist I am today, but it is all thanks to my parents that I can focus on my talent and study music. From the moment I told them I wanted to study music til this day, they never doubted me for a single second (Very untypical of Asian parents I know), and I would not be who I am today without the support of my parents. I also have my mentors, teachers, and professors from both high school and Berklee to thank. They are the ones who fostered my passion for what I do and gave me the chance to learn and play music

Website: https://linktr.ee/jonascho

Instagram: jonas_ckc

Facebook: Jonas Cho

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRzfJYXZeQsq9g35fA_P2jw