SF Jazz Festival Presents Jon Jang’s “Angel Voices: Rhapsody on Angel Island Poetry”

As part of the SF Jazz Festival, CHSA is proud to sponsor Jon Jang’s performance at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music on Sunday, October 24, 2010 at 3 pm/Special Pre-talk at 2 pm

Over his brilliant career, Bay Area based pianist-composer Jon Jang has performed many stimulating and thought-provoking works which often document key points in Chinese history, including The Chinese American Symphony; Island: The Immigrant Suite No. 2; and Tiananmen! This performance is the World Premiere of Angel Voices: Rhapsody On Angel Island Poetry, based upon poems written by Chinese, Japanese and Russian Jewish immigrants who were detained on Angel Island from 1910-40. The work features poet Genny Lim and a chamber jazz ensemble comprised of pipa (Chinese lute), woodwinds and a rhythm section. Min Xiao-Fen, the pipa soloist, spent ten years playing with the Nanjing Traditional Music Orchestra of China. Since moving to the U.S., she has appeared with such notables as Randy Weston, Wadada Leo Smith, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Björk. “Two Flowers on a Stem” is one of Jon Jang’s favorite metaphors and aptly describes his collaboration with Min Xiao-Fen for this exceptional performance.

For more information, please visit: http://www.sfjazz.org/concerts/2010/fall/artists/jang.php

“Pianist/composer Jon Jang has created vital music that combines advanced jazz with vivid memories of his Chinese heritage.” — All Music Guide

“A modern day visionary who draws upon his Asian heritage as a source for inspiration and musical implementation.” — All About Jazz