Today we’d like to introduce you to Arthur Wang
What influenced you to be a jazz composer?
In my childhood, when I first heard “Someone watch over me, “composed by Gershwin, I was deeply attracted to Jazz music. Although rooted in classical music, Jazz’s harmonic language, melody, and structure have their highly independent system. Colorful harmony gives the listener a rich and delicate emotional experience. Jazz contains a song-like form, encouraging every listener to sing the melody. I can experience various aspects of human emotion in Jazz, which can be tipsy, melancholy, and aggressive. Since then, Jazz has planted a seed in my heart. Fortunately, my wish to write Jazz music finally came true.
What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced?
There are two main challenges that I have faced. Firstly, jazz orchestra has a different instrumentation than traditional symphony orchestra. I had been writing for a Symphony orchestra for several years before I first got a chance to write for a Jazz orchestra. The most significant difference, instrumentally, is that the big band has no string section but a rhythm section, such as piano, drum set, acoustic bass, and guitar, which requires the composer to have a different viewpoint of composing for the ensemble. Secondly, as a classical-trained composer, I must write down every note for performers in their score, which differs from writing for Jazz musicians. Improvisation is a massive section of Jazz music performance. I imagine their improvisation and giving musicians enough guidance with accuracy in their scores. However, I am familiar with this mind system change after writing various pieces for the Jazz orchestra, which provides me with a rich music-making experience.
What part of your accomplishments are you most proud of?
My jazz arrangements and original compositions were selected to be performed by award-winning collegiate Big Bands. For example, Eastman Jazz Ensemble performed about five pieces of mine in the past two years. Eastman Jazz Lab Band and Michigan State University Jazz Orchestra II premiered my original composition last December at the prestigious venue Fairchild Theater, MI, and Kilburn Hall, NY. My jazz-influenced orchestra work “Love Letter” was premiered by MSU Concert Orchestra at the famous Wharton Center for Performance Arts, MI, which received high praise from mainstream media, such as Yahoo, and PR Newswire, to name a few. The musicians in the ensembles that performed these works enjoyed them immensely, and the audience enthusiastically received each piece. I also won the ASMAC (American Society of Music Arrangers and Composers) David Blumberg scholarship. I can’t wait to compose more Jazz works to bring the audience joy and unique music experiences.
What are the connections between Jazz and traditional Chinese music?
Improvisation is among the essential commonalities between Chinese and Jazz music. In ancient China, musicians expressed their love for nature and longing for their hometown by playing music impromptu between the mountains and flowing water. People nowadays can’t find any historical sheet music of their pieces. How do they transmit and record this music? Ancient musicians kept their music in mind, from improvisation to the final finished work. Then, they spread their music to the next generation of musicians through one-on-one oral transmission. As a result, most of the earlier Chinese music is untraceable and has even been lost. Some music was kept throughout history, and only a few people can memorize and perform them. In the world of Jazz, musicians surprisingly create music in a similar way to ancient China. Jazz musicians must train their improv skills by studying famous soloists’ music by listening, imitating, and playing. They will listen to recordings of renowned soloists repeatedly, transcribe every note by ear, and finally, learn to imitate precisely the way the master play. Jazz musicians’ improvisation ability continues to improve through constant internalization of inner hearing. The practice of making jazz music coincides with music creation and inheritance in ancient China.
Recommend some of your favorite jazz records to our readers.
There are two Jazz records I want to recommend to our readers. The first is “Mel Lewis And The Jazz Orchestra – Bob Brookmeyer – Composer & Arranger.” Bob Brookmeyer has been an iconic figure in the contemporary jazz composition area. His brand-new and unique way of approaching Jazz harmony and structure influences every generation of Jazz composers. The second is “Still Life (Talking)” by the fantastic Pat Metheny Group, which won the Grammy Award for “Best Jazz Fusion Performance.” You will listen to Pat Metheny’s significant interest in combining Jazz with Brazilian elements. You will see Jazz with an entirely new perspective.
Contact information:
- Website: https://
peiyaowangmusic.com/ - Instagram: https://www.
instagram.com/arthur0329/ - Facebook: https://www.
facebook.com/profile.php?id= 100008710159231 - Youtube: https://www.youtube.
com/channel/ UC0TPxt4DIFZ7OxGfY0p3oXg
Suggest a Story: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
