Emy Tseng is a singer based in Washington, DC whose focus is Brazilian jazz / bossa nova.
Emy began classical piano at age four. She started singing in high school and continued at Brown University. After graduation, she studied classical voice with mezzo-soprano Jane Struss at the Longy School of Music and sang in various choruses and early music ensembles in the Boston area.
In 2001, Emy moved to New York and became enchanted with the jazz scene and soon was attending jazz shows several times a week. There she studied jazz and vocal improvisation with the esteemed jazz vocalist and teacher Jay Clayton.
In New York, she heard Paula and Jacques Morelenbaum which began her love of Brazilian music, especially bossa nova. From then, she became inspired by the music Tom Jobim, Elis Regina, Gal Costa, Joao Gilberto as well as Djavan, Maria Rita, Chico Pinheiro, Marisa Monte.
After moving to the Bay Area, Emy found wonderful teachers of Brazilian music: singer Sandy Cressman and the great Brazilian pianist Marcos Silva, formerly musical director and arranger for Flora Purim and Airto, and also played with legendary Brazilian musicians Toninho Horta, Dori Caymmi, Edu Lobo and Leny Andrade.
In San Francisco, Emy performed regularly at Bacar, Bossa Nova, Caffe Trieste and other venues around the Bay Area Kelly's, Octavia Lounge.
Last year, Emy moved to Washington DC for a position at the Department of Commerce. She soon found great musicians who play the music she loves including Wayne Wilentz (keyboard), David Jernigan (bass), Jim West (drums), Roberto Berimbau (drums, percussion). On Thursdays, she can often be found at the jazz club Utopia sitting in and listening to the music.
For more info about Emy's dayjob check out www.emytseng.net