Ian McArdle, from Oakland, California is a recent graduate of the Oberlin Conservatory of Music where he obtained a Bachelor of Music degree.  He has had the privilege of studying with Dan Wall, Susan Muscarella, Billy Hart and Jamey Haddad.

Ian began playing piano in elementary school. At that age he preferred playing along with his favorite songs over more formal classical studies.  However, in eighth grade with the discovery of jazz, he became much more serious about music.  In high school, McArdle played with the national award-winning Jazzschool Studio Band under the direction of Keith Johnson and the Oaktown Jazz Workshop led by Khalil Shaheed.

Ian received the Oberlin Conservatory of Music Dean’s Scholarship and awards for Outstanding Musicianship from the Campana Jazz Festival, CSU East Bay Jazz Festival and the Sacramento State University Winter Jazz Festival.

He has performed at Yoshi’s Jazz Club, Monterey Next Generation Jazz Festival, Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival, Monterey Jazz Festival, Montreux Jazz Festival as well as jazz venues in Italy and France.  In January 2013 Ian toured China performing and teaching with the modern jazz group CJQ.

Ian is able to find fresh and creative ways to contribute to musical situations as is evident in his membership in multiple ensembles covering many musical styles.