The blue hues of Jazz and the collection of character within maqamat creates an atmosphere that spans across Renata’s vocals, violin and compositional storytelling. Through music, she greets conversations that bridge corners of the world . Bridges that can be passed over for the sake of fellowship. Renata’s narrative welcomes people to join the chronicles of humanity in experiencing a unique and inspiring dialogue across the globe.

Who We Are

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What is Taqsim Jazz?

The name Taqsim comes from the Arabic musical tradition of improvisation, while improvisation itself remains one of the defining elements of Jazz. Rooted in both traditions, Taqsim Jazz was created as a meeting point between Eastern and Western musical expression.

Taqsim Jazz is the artistic vision of Renata Choglo — a vocalist, violinist, composer, arranger, and educator whose work bridges the worlds of Jazz, Arabic music, and cinematic sound.

After beginning her studies in classical western music at a young age, Renata later pursued Jazz Performance at Portland State University while undertaking intensive studies in classical arabic violin with master musicians. Her work today reflects a refined blend of Jazz , Middle Eastern musical traditions, string and vocal layers, composing and improvisational performance.

Her current and past collaborations span concert stages, festivals such as Mt.Hood Jazz Festival 2022, recording studios, cultural institutions, and international artistic projects. She contributed as a featured vocalist, violinist, composer, lyricist, and arranger such as performing with Souq El-Jazz ( Boston and New York ), The World Fusion‍ ‍( Portland Oregon ), touring with Double Joy ( West Coast ) and Recording for Salvador Lopez ( Mexico City ) on his upcoming album release. Renata’s recording work has also included sessions connected with Budapest Scoring and collaborations associated with Ballet Folklórico de México.

Beyond performance, Renata’s work extends into education. She has presented on Middle Eastern music traditions, the history of the violin, and music cognition through institutions including Walters Cultural Arts Center ( PDX ) and NAfME ( New York ). Internationally, she has collaborated with the I AM School of Music to help train music educators ( Kenya, Nairobi ) through psychologically informed and human-centered approaches to teaching. Through the I AM School of Music, she has also taught music theory and violin lessons at a Montessori school with the approach of encouraging healthy and whole develpement of the brain through music.

Through Taqsim Jazz, Renata continues to create work that is expansive, culturally rooted, and deeply improvisational — music designed to connect worlds, traditions, and human experience.