Recognized by the prestigious online magazine Latin Jazz Network as ‘a shape-shifting musician and instrumentalist’, Michael Simon has developed into a protean trumpeter, composer, arranger and interpreter of international prominence and significance.

The realization that music is a universal language that connects and unites people regardless of their race, background and culture, has led Michael to explore Asian music and incorporate those elements in his current realm of work. When Latin rhythms from Venezuela and the Caribbean are fused into Asian melodies, colored by jazz sounds and harmonies, Michael realizes that the music he created, particularly his most recent works, frequently goes in surprising directions and transcends the music genres in the present time. It’s a celebration of life that calls us to remember humanity and it’s creation, peace, tranquility and the present moment in which life unfolds. It promotes and enriches knowledge; if it gives us pleasure and emotions, the same way it can help us understand our experiences better. That is widely evident in his latest release ‘Asian Connection’.

On ‘Asian Connection’, Michael teams up with saxophonist Terry Hsieh, one of the most active saxophonist in Taiwan, and is backed up by a top notch rhythm section of emerging Asian artists comprising of Sri Hanuraga (Indonesia) on piano, Ochiai Kosuke (Japan) on bass and John Thomas (Malaysia) on drums. Further, the presence of Tsai Hauyi on the Pipa will add a flare of spice to the already colorful palette “Asian Connection’ and is set to lead the band into uncharted musical waters.

“Energetic performance with exciting latin rhythms were creatively presented with Asian influences. To see a Pipa instrument played along with the common played jazz musical instrument such as trumpet, piano, saxophone and drums is just awesome!” - A Woman’s Diary (.com)
Source: http://www.awomandiary.com/a-walk-on-2017-borneo-jazz-festival/

“In many ways though it was both Michael Simon's Asian Connection and the Idang Rasjidi Syndicate who echoed the region's atmosphere and heat with two contrasting yet compelling performances that point towards a fascinating future for Southeast Asian jazz. “
- Jon Newey (Jazzwise Magazine)
Source: http://www.jazzwisemagazine.com/breaking-news/14631-laila-biali-and-idang-rasjidi-syndicate-shine-at-borneo-jazz-festival

"On Asian Connection Michael Simon is at the top of his game. His playing is vivid and especially poignantly so on the two-part piece “Dance of the Yao Tribe”. His genius here is to take this traditional music and link it like an elegant railway to Jazz, folk and tango often in the ambient domain of a 21st century conservatoire.”

- Raul da Gama (Latin Jazz Network)
Source: https://latinjazznet.com/reviews/cds/jazz-report/michael-simon-asian-connection/

℗© Michael Simon