Chen Hu Jie

He serves as the Principal Clarinet for the Yichang Gorges Symphony Orchestra and is a noteworthy clarinettist with the Yichang Free Jazz Big Band.
In his capacity as a clarinettist, Chen Hu Jie has spearheaded notable clarinet concert projects such as "Loop Line" and "Time Shuttle" since 2018. His international concert repertoire spans an impressive array of countries and regions, including China, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium, Bulgaria, Estonia, Japan, Romania, Spain, the US, and etc. He has graced stages such as Musikhuset Aarhus in Denmark, BOZAR recital hall in Belgium, Mustpeade Maja / Tallinna Filharmoonia in Estonia, Kolarac concert hall in Serbia, among others. In 2019, his ventures as a chamber musician and orchestral clarinettist culminated in the creation of the Soundshadow Ensemble, of which he is a founder and the Artistic Director. Under his guidance, the ensemble unveiled their inaugural CD album 'Sound & Shadow' with Da Vinci Publishing in 2023. In the same year, his personal CD album ‘Scandinavian Wood’ was released with Da Vinci Publishing. His talents were recognised early when he was appointed as the Guest Principal Clarinet for the Yichang Gorges Symphony Orchestra at the age of 19, he then transitioned to the permanent Principle Clarinet in the orchestra. In 2022, he joined the Yichang Free Jazz Big Band. Emblematic of the new wave of musicians, Chen Hu Jie is actively involved in pioneering music projects and has collaborated closely with composers, including Assistant Professor Jasmine Moni Guo from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.
Transitioning to his role as a composer, Chen Hu Jie's works have been showcased in China, Europe, and the US. A standout piece, 'Gorges-Ode, CV.13', premiered on China Sina's official livestream in 2020 and was subsequently broadcast on Yichang City TV.
Since 2024, he has been teaching in the Music Department of East China University of Technology.
Chen Hu Jie's musical prowess has earned him numerous accolades. Notably, he clinched the 1st prize at the 5th China National Music Competition of Woodwind and Brass in the clarinet section and was bestowed the prestigious "Small GoldBell" Special Honour Music Prize in China, 2016. He also secured the top position at the 31st Concorso Internazionale per Giovani Musicisti "Città di Barletta" in Italy, 2021.
Born in Yichang, China, in 1999, Chen Hu Jie embarked on his musical journey at the age of 6 and began his clarinet tutelage at 9 under Sun Shan, the Principal Clarinet of the Yichang Gorges Symphony Orchestra. At 15, he relocated to Beijing, receiving instruction from the esteemed Yu Bo, former Principal Clarinet of the Military Band of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, and later from Professor Yuan Yuan at the Central Conservatory Of Music. With a penchant for the Nordic clarinet academic style, Chen Hu Jie pursued advanced training under Swedish clarinettist Emil Jonason and Principal Clarinetist of the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra Christoffer Sundqvist, during his undergraduate years in the US. Having completed his Bachelor's Degree in Clarinet Performance from the Arizona State University School of Music, he transitioned to Europe for master degree studies at The Royal Academy of Music Aarhus (Det Jyske Musikkonservatorium) in Denmark, under the aegis of renowned Danish clarinettist Mathias Kjøller, Principal Clarinet of Aarhus Symphony Orchestra. His conducting education was mentored by notable Danish conductor Søren Kinch Hansen and chief conductor of Stavanger Symphony Orchestra, Latvian conductor Andris Poga. Additionally, he refined his chamber music skills with luminaries such as Bue Skov Thomassen, Lena Kildahl Larsen, Frederik Munk Larsen, and Martin Qvist Hansen, among others.
He also participated in master classes or lessons with: Charles Neidich, Håkan Rosengren, Julian Bliss, Ricardo Morales, Radovan Cavallin, and others.