*Booking: 415 626 4376 or booking@jenshyu.com
BayJazz proudly presents...
Debut Album Release: For Now
Jen Shyu’s imaginative song and dance draws upon jazz, Chinese, and Afro-Cuban influences. Jen presents both forgotten songs and brand new arrangements of standards with freshness and versatility. Moving from ballad, to Taiwanese folk song, to bolero, Jen and her ensemble explore sounds beyond set genres of music. Jen Shyu – vocals Reception party and CD signing will take place immediately after the event. **FOR NOW CD will be available at a special price of $12 |
| DATE: | Friday, May 24, 2002, 8:00 PM | |
| VENUE: | St. Gregory’s Church, 500 DeHaro Street at Mariposa, Potrero Hill, San Francisco 94107 Directions: http://www.saintgregorys.org | |
| TICKET PRICE: | $10 in advance – call 415-461-3180 Tickets $12 at the door |
BayJazz is dedicated in offering to Bay Area jazz aficionados an opportunity to honor, listen, and experience our talented local jazz musicians in a beautiful, unique, pristine venue with outstanding acoustics. We promise you “nothing like this anywhere else in the Bay Area.”
Commentary"JEN SHYU. 'For Now,' 4AM Music ANA2002. A new singer meriting close attention, Jen Shyu's jazz craft and sensibilities are contagious without pause on 'For Now.' With blithesome warmth she establishes a personal code of prompt connection and spirit. On this CD of 11 cuts, she draws on color, novel treatments, instrumental soloists, and energy of the total group. Their rapport shows up the effects of playing together as a collective for some two years in various configurations. Saxophonist Francis Wong, the lone horn player, is highly reputed for his captivating improvisations; he is responsible for motivating Shyu to sing in an open manner on 'Lover Man,' deserting the straight-ahead stance she previously adhered to on the tune. An unbounded mix of songs offers a spread of sources and challenges, illustrating Shyu's versatility and adventuresomeness. Some highlights include the percussive flavors on 'Caravan,' an atmospheric 'Nature Boy' without signs of tethering to form but revealing Shyu's radar sensitivity to its lyric line and space, and the strong rhythmic feel of 'Summertime' sticking out among countless other versions. Germane to her Asian cultural ties, her gentle voice is haunting on 'Spring Flower Waiting For Dew.' 'Again' was catapulted as a 1954 Vic Damone hit record from the flick 'Roadhouse'; Shyu does the tune more than justice. Complemented by a band of San Francisco Bay Area stalwarts--percussionist Jimmy Biala, bassist John-Carlos Perea, pianists Dee Spencer and Art Hirahara, plus Francis Wong, Jen Shyu meshes her soulfulness with integrity and élan. 'For Now' is a bright forecast for later!"
~Dr.
Herb Wong, "Jazz Perspectives,"
International Association
for Jazz
Education Journal, November/December 2002
“...engaging arrangements and empathy between the musicians at a high level. This is a very cool CD!”
~Wayne Wallace, composer and arranger
"I love Jen Shyu's vocal rendition of the Chinese song “Spring Flower Waiting for Dew” because she sounds like a bell from faraway that is alone on an island surrounded by the sea."
~Jon Jang, pianist and composer
“For those who have been astounded by her prodigious pianistic talents, Jennifer Shyu reveals herself to be a double musical threat with her debut recording as a vocalist. From torch song stylist to sultry chanteuse to Chinese folk songstress, Ms. Shyu commands a range of interpretive abilities on the eleven songs comprising FOR NOW. At once drawing from her classical training and then freely improvising on ‘Summertime,’ Jen Shyu demonstrates a rare versatility and soulfulness. Her treatment of standards such as ‘The Way You Look Tonight’ and ‘Nature Boy’ showcase her creative and collaborative rapport with her musicians including Francis Wong, Art Hirahara, John-Carlos Perea and Jimmy Biala.”
~Anthony Brown, percussionist and educator
“One of the joys of being a resident artist in the SF Bay Area community is seeing the resurgence of young new artists coming here to do their work. It’s been such a pleasure getting to know Jennifer Shyu and working with her on this project. Jen combines an open mind and an open heart with tremendous clarity and drive. I’m very thankful to Jen for drawing out a new voice for me in her choice of my soprano for most of the tracks. I really enjoy her phrasing and ability to let the moment happen; we always have a great musical conversation. Jennifer Shyu has gotten a lot done in a short amount of time and had a large impact in the community here in San Francisco. FOR NOW comes from a very rich experience with family, friends, school, the arts community and her musical collaborators. We are all very lucky to be a part of such a heartfelt offering.”
~Francis Wong, composer and activist