Kan Cao was born and raised in Shanghai, China. At the age of nine, he began musical studies with his trombone teacher, Da Li Li. As a high school student, he was a soloist with the Shanghai Student Orchestra and went on to continue his musical training at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, where he received his bachelor’s degree in music performance in 2012.

Kan Cao is an active soloist, jazz trombonist, and classical trombonist. He was a trombone leader in the jazz bands, such as Shanghai Conservatory of Music Jazz band and JZ all-star big band, which is the best big band in China.

Kan Cao was a trombonist of Chinese Idol(TV show), “The singer(TV show),” “蒙面歌王(TV show),” City Symphony Orchestra, Hamburg University of Music Jazz band, New Star Together, University of Central Oklahoma Jazz Rep Combo 1, University of Central Oklahoma 5th St. Strutters Dixieland,  George Mason Jazz Ensemble and University of Central Oklahoma Jazz Ensemble One.

Kan Cao has played with many jazz masters, such as Chris Potter, Eric Marienthal, Dan Gailey, Richard Sussman, Dave Glenn, Clint Ashlock, Gary Hobbs, Nils Landgren, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Gene Aitken, Laura Fygi, Roberta Gambarini, Roy Hargrove, Wolf Kerschek, John Daversa, John Fedchock, Bob Mintzer, Vince Norman and Terell Stafford.

Kan Cao has played some well-known concerts in China, such as the Jazz Originals Concerts, Video Game Live, Concert “Spring, River, Flower, Moon Night,” Concert “Booming-Blowing,” Shanghai Music Hall concert. Kan Cao has also participated in numerous festivals, including the First China Jazz Education Festival, Shanghai Jazz Festival, Germany Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival and Taiwan Taichung Jazz Festival. Kan Cao has also performed in some famous jazz clubs, including Birland Jazz Club, JZ Club, JZ Latino, On Stage, Wooden Box, Brown Sugar and UCO Jazz Lab. He also played in Chinese Idol to play with some superstars in China, such as Hong Han, Coco Li, Xiaoming Huang.

Kan Cao has graduated in 2015 from the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) In Oklahoma, where he majors in Jazz Study. Now he is the jazz trombone teacher in shanghai conservatory of music.