 He studied the contrabass at the University of the Philippines College of Music from 1988 until 1992, then began a professional musical career, performing in bands of various different genres, including the Manila-based blues band, Lampano Alley, led by the Filipino blues singer and recording artist, Binky Lampano.This was followed by his tenure as bassist and composer with the jazz group, WDOUJI.Tan's influences as a bass instrumentalist include Roscoe Beck, Ray Brown, Paul Chambers, Charlie Haden, James Jamerson, Marcus Miller, Jaco Pastorius, and John Pattitucci.