Cher Siang Tay

Tay Cher Siang started his piano lessons learning classical music. He took up an interest in Jazz during his teenage years and began to pursue his musical journey as a jazz pianist. He received his Masters in Jazz Pedagogy under the tutelage of Dr. Miltenberger and Professor Scea.

Tay immerse himself in the education of Jazz in Malaysia and Asia, he taught at UCSI, UM, The Yamaha Music Academy and UPM. He is also teaching at his private studio, and giving master classes, jazz clinics throughout Malaysia and Asia.

As a pianist and composer, Tay has been touring extensively with his band WVC –Malaysian Jazz Ensemble, and also with a multi nationals band Unit Asia, to China, Taiwan, Macau, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, Brunei, Indonesia, Vietnam, Japan, Turkey, Egypt, India, Italy, Germany, Spain, and the USA. Total of ten albums were released throughout the Years, with original compositions and arrangements. Tay is also active in producing recordings with various artists and singers in the region. He has produced 38 albums to date.

In 2016, Tay won three Kaki Seni-Cameronian Arts Awards, the most prestigious awards for Performing Arts in Malaysia, for his compositions and performances. Another nomination came in 2020, for his production of Shakespeare and Jazz concerts of which he bagged the best original composition award. He is invited to give a TedX talk at the prestigious 2018 TedX Petaling Street, and then perform with his band at the said event. In 2023, Tay was invited to be the Artist-in-Residence at the UCSi Music Department. Tay is also the music director and arranger for various notable Singers and musical acts in the Malaysian live music scene.

As a composer and music director, Tay has been involved with movie soundtracks, Musical productions, and Theater works. He and his band played themselves in the Hollywood blockbuster “Crazy Rich Asians”.

Tay is currently the Chairman of the organizing committee of the annual Malaysian Jazz Piano Festivals. He also writes a bi-weekly Jazz Column on newspaper China Press and Sinchew Daily,, and he hosts a weekly Jazz radio program on City Plus FM. Tay has also curated music programs for live music venues such as The Venue, Royal Selangor and Titi Jazz & Music.